PROFESSOR BENJAMIN BESSE DESIGNATED PRESIDENT ELECT OF THE EUROPEAN ORGANISATION FOR RESEARCH AND TREATMENT OF CANCER (EORTC)

Founded in 1962, the EORTC is an academic network currently comprising over 300 institutions and more than 3,500 members across Europe. Its mission is to promote multicenter clinical research focused on delivering direct benefits to cancer patients. Professor Besse’s election reflects his longstanding involvement in the organization, as well as Gustave Roussy’s commitment to translational research and international clinical trials.

A Career Rooted in Precision Medicine and Translational Research

Trained at Université Paris-Sud and holding a PhD in oncology research, Professor Besse specializes in precision medicine applied to thoracic tumors. After leading the Department of Oncology, he was appointed Director of Clinical Research at Gustave Roussy in 2021.
 
His work focuses on the development of targeted therapies based on tumor molecular profiles, the use of circulating biomarkers, and first-in-human trials for rare thoracic cancers, including NUT carcinomas and thymic tumors. He has authored over 500 scientific publications and led more than 30 phase I, II, and III clinical trials over the past five years. He is also a regular speaker at major international conferences such as ASCO, ESMO, and WCLC.

A Longstanding Involvement with the EORTC

Professor Besse has maintained a close collaboration with the EORTC for over a decade. He previously led the Lung Cancer Group for seven years and later co-chaired the Scientific Chairs Council, which oversees the organization’s various scientific activities.
 
“It is an honor to succeed Professor Winette van der Graaf and contribute to advancing the mission of the EORTC. The challenge today is to strengthen scientific cooperation on a European and global scale, promote independent academic research, and ensure equitable access to therapeutic innovations for all patients,” stated Professor Benjamin Besse.