FCS Names Shekeab Jauhari as Principal Investigator for their New Drug Development Unit

Shekeab Jauhari, MD, a medical oncologist/hematologist, has been named principal investigator at the Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), and he will lead phase I clinical trials at the FCS Drug Development Unit in Lake Mary, Florida, at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute, which is the newest unit in the FCS that is set to open in January 2020, according to a press release from FCS.

Jauhari received his medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also completed his fellowship training at the Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, in hematology and oncology.

“Dr. Jauhari has extensive training in oncology research and shares our passion for expanding access to cutting-edge therapies, Manish R. Patel, MD, director of drug development at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute at FCS, said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Dr. Jauhari and his team, as our early phase trial unites in Sarasota and Lake Mary will work collaboratively to serve patients who vitally need advanced treatment options.”

Jauhari has been credited for his work with numerous academic honors, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Foundation’s Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award. He was also a participant in the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Clinical Research Training Institute during his fellowship at Duke University. Jauhari has authored many publications in hematology, focused on the study of lymphomas and immune-based treatment approaches.

The Drug Development Unit, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at FCS is a part of the FCS’s newest treatment facility. The unit will combine both medical oncology services as well as phase I clinical trial opportunities for patients with cancer at 1 solitary location. FCS conducts clinical trials at over 36 locations of Sarah Cannon Research Institute, which is 1 of the leading clinical research organizations in the world.

FCS offers clinical trials to patients more than any private oncology practice in Florida and has been recognized by ASCO with a national Clinical Trials Participation Award. The majority of FDA-approved cancer therapies over the last 4 years were evaluated in clinical trials with participation from the FCS. With over 230 physicians, 220 advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants, and around 100 locations in their network, FCS is committed to providing world-class cancer care in the community setting.

Lucio N. Gordan, MD, FCS president, and managing physician, said, “Clinical trials play a critical role in improving cancer treatments. We are delighted to expand our cutting-edge research with Dr. Jauhari’s capable leadership and focus on clinical excellence.”

Sarah Cannon Research Institute is a leader in community-based clinical trials in the United States and the UnitedKingdom. The institution has led more than 400 first-in-human clinical trials and has been a clinical trial leader in many therapies approved by the FDA in the cancer field for over the last decade.