Improving women’s health and representation in the workplace is about more than just treatments - it’s about ensuring that every woman has access to the care, research, opportunities and resources she needs to live a healthier life. Across Daiichi Sankyo’s therapeutic areas, from cardiovascular disease to oncology, we strive to address disparities that have left women underserved in healthcare, acknowledging their unique health challenges and emphasising the importance of sex-and-gender-specific approaches in medical care.[i],[ii]
Read on to learn more about the steps Daiichi Sankyo Europe is taking to champion women’s health, as well as the wellbeing and empowerment of women within Daiichi Sankyo.
Supporting women’s health starts with supporting the women within our own organisation. Championing women in the workplace not only fosters equity and inclusion but also directly supports their mental and physical health by creating environments where they feel valued, heard, and empowered to thrive.
At Daiichi Sankyo Europe, we foster an inclusive culture that champions gender equity. An employee-led group of 140 members, Women@DSE, is a driving force in this mission. They work to increase the visibility of female employees’ contributions, support career development, and shape a workplace that reflects the One DS philosophy and core behaviour of being inclusive and embracing diversity.
Daiichi Sankyo is committed to shape policies which support gender equality in women’s health that go beyond our therapeutic areas. Our shared goal is to empower women to take charge of their own health. In line with this, Daiichi Sankyo Europe is taking important steps to address disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) treatment between men and women. [iii]
Daiichi Sankyo’s European Women Network have joined forces with Women as One, an organisation committed to elevating female voices as thought leaders in cardiovascular medicine. By working alongside a broad network of experts, we are ensuring that women’s heart health is prioritised at every level.
Cutting-edge research is also driving change. Research conducted by Daiichi Sankyo in Europe, uncovered significant gender differences in cardiovascular treatment.[i] These findings are driving our efforts to shape new approaches to personalised care, ensuring that women’s unique risks and needs are fully recognised.
For women with atrial fibrillation (AF), the challenges extend beyond diagnosis.[ii] Daiichi Sankyo has worked to bring patient stories to the forefront, shedding light on the distinct experiences of elderly women living with AF. By sharing their journeys, we can not only increase awareness about the unique experiences of these women but have also been able to address specific risk factors and lifestyles of female AF patients. By empowering women to take charge of their cardiovascular health with confidence, we can help ensure that women receive the most effective and tailored care possible.
“As a company, we believe that addressing women's health is not just a matter of equality but a critical step toward better patient outcomes for all.” - Masahiro Kato
Cancer is more than a diagnosis - it can be a life-altering experience that affects women physically, emotionally, and socially. At Daiichi Sankyo, significant strides are being made in addressing women-specific health issues, particularly in breast cancer care.
In collaboration with the Economist Impact and 75 experts, Daiichi Sankyo published a report earlier this year titled “Advancing Breast Cancer Care in Europe: A Roadmap to a Women-Centric Approach”. This report highlights the disparities that still exist in access to psychological support, survivorship planning, and fertility preservation for women with cancer, and disparities in care depending on demographic factors such as region, age, or socioeconomic status. The report calls for systemic change and demands better policies, improved patient resources, and a holistic approach to care that considers the full scope of a woman’s experience with breast cancer. The full report can be accessed here: https://impact.economist.com/health/women-centric-breast-cancer-care/.
“Our efforts in women's health exemplify how we collaborate and trust each other, working across global teams in pursuit of a more equitable healthcare system for all.” Masahiro Kato
In 2024, Daiichi Sankyo Europe also conducted a survey into awareness and knowledge of breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer across five European countries – the UK, Spain, France, Germany and Italy. The survey found that 88% of respondents expressed the need for more accessible and accurate information about breast cancer, fuelling an urgent call-to-action to improve public education and support systems for women navigating a breast cancer diagnosis.
A key area where Daiichi Sankyo is working to support women-centric approaches in oncology is through nurse education, developing a program that equips and empowers oncology nurses with the insights and techniques they need to provide compassionate, informed care while also prioritising their own well-being. By empowering nurses, we aim to strengthen the foundation of patient support.
Through focused efforts in cardiovascular health, oncology and broader women’s health initiatives, Daiichi Sankyo is taking meaningful steps in support of a future where every woman has access to the care and support she deserves. These efforts reflect our One DS culture, where collaboration, trust and a shared commitment drive the world forward.
At Daiichi Sankyo Europe we are on a mission to improve approaches to women’s care. And together, we are making it a reality.
i Tayal U, et al., Advancing the access to cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment among women with cardiovascular disease: a joint British Cardiovascular Societies’ consensus document Heart 2024;110:e3-e15.
ii Kavousi S, et al., Worldwide association of the gender inequality with the incidence and mortality of cervical, ovarian, endometrial, and breast cancers. SSM Popul Health. 2024 Jan 24;25:101613.
iii World Heart Federation. Women & CVD. https://world-heart-federation.org/what-we-do/women-cvd. Accessed May 2025.
iv Nanchen, D., et al. Contemporary LDL-cholesterol management in male and female patients at high-cardiovascular risk: results from the European observational SANTORINI study. Oral presentation, ESC Congress 30 August 2024
v Shantsila, E et al Atrial fibrillation: comorbidities, lifestyle, and patient factors The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, Volume 37, 100784
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