START and OneOncology Launch New Early-Phase Trial Sites Across US

Cancer Cells - stock.adobe.com

In a collaboration aimed at reshaping access to early phase oncology trials, The START Center for Cancer Research (START) and OneOncology have announced the launch of 3 new early-phase clinical trial sites within leading community oncology practices across the US.¹ The partnership aims to bridge the longstanding gap between innovative cancer research and the patients who need it most, right in their communities.

Beginning in July 2025, early phase clinical research capabilities will be integrated into Los Angeles Cancer Network (LACN) in California, The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD) in Texas, and Astera Cancer Care in New Jersey. These new START sites will join an existing partnership location at The Cancer & Hematology Centers in Michigan, marking an expansion of community-based early-phase research access under the OneOncology umbrella.

The new sites will begin activation in mid-2025, with full integration into START’s established research infrastructure by early 2026. Each site will benefit from START’s rigorous processes for trial activation, execution, and data quality.

"The existing early phase cancer research infrastructure, heavily reliant on academic medical centers, is no longer sustainable in the face of the mounting pressure for faster trial activation, broader scalability, and more diverse patient representation. START solves this by embedding trials directly into community settings—bringing research closer to patients and accelerating drug development," said Nick Slack, chairman and chief executive officer of START, in a press release.

"By partnering with community practices like LACN, CCBD, and Astera, we are advancing our leadership by tapping into communities whose patients are most in need of early phase clinical trials. For pharmaceutical companies, this partnership means a faster, more scalable, and efficient model for drug development," Slack continued.

Historically, early-phase cancer trials have been centralized within academic medical centers, limiting access for the majority of patients with cancer. This new initiative between START and OneOncology directly addresses this.

START is globally recognized as the largest early-phase oncology research network, operating 10 sites worldwide and contributing to the development and regulatory approval of more than 45 cancer therapies. START has over 700 early phase trials conducted by 31 principal investigators.

For OneOncology, a physician-led network of more than 1750 providers across 565 locations, the partnership with START marks an exciting advancement in its mission to elevate community cancer care.

"OneOncology's core mission has always been to elevate the standard and reach of community oncology care. Working with START allows our partner practices to extend their capabilities into groundbreaking early phase research, providing access to new therapies traditionally reserved for academic centers," said Jeff Patton, MD, chief executive officer of OneOncology, in the press release. "Together, we're transforming the patient experience, bringing innovation closer to home and significantly impacting cancer outcomes nationwide."

REFERENCE:

1. START and OneOncology partner to expand access to early phase oncology trials. News release. The START Center for Cancer Research. May 27, 2025. Accessed May 27, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/4uzp7dw3