Expanding access, accelerating trials: The power of community-based oncology research

The traditional site model for early-phase oncology research--centered primarily around academic institutions—is facing mounting challenges that are hindering clinical development progress, reducing the efficiency of how trials are executed and putting the pace of development of new therapies at risk. With 80% of cancer patients receiving care in community-based settings, this outdated approach has created significant gaps in patient access and slowed trial progress. Adding to the strain, financial pressures on hospitals and health systems, coupled with growing uncertainty around NIH funding, are threatening the long-term sustainability of this research infrastructure.

Now, more urgently than ever, a shift toward community-based oncology site partnerships is essential. START has led the way towards this new model which provides immediate and transformative benefits:

Improved patient access to cutting-edge trials directly within local communities.
Faster trial startup and enrollment, accelerating research timelines.
Stronger operational resilience amid funding and institutional uncertainties.
Greater trial diversity, driving more representative and inclusive outcomes.
Academic-caliber research led by experienced investigators who are frequently published thought leaders.

Join our dynamic virtual panel featuring leaders from:

Community oncology practice leaders
Health system research leaders
Pharmaceutical industry leaders
Patient advocacy organizations

This critical discussion will highlight powerful examples of community-based collaborations reshaping early phase oncology research. Panelists will offer strategic insights, explore impactful case studies, and reveal actionable opportunities to enhance patient access, improve trial diversity, and accelerate therapeutic breakthroughs for patients by providing “Hope through Access.”

Nick Slack

Chairman & CEO, The START Center for Cancer Research

Nick Slack, MBE, is the Chairman and CEO of The START Center, bringing nearly two decades of leadership experience to the clinical research industry. He is a transformative healthcare executive with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation, all while focusing on the mission, vision, and values an organization delivers to the broader research community.

Prior to his role at The START Center, Nick was the President of WCG Clinical. During his decade-long tenure, Nick was responsible for developing and growing WCG’s relationships with the industry’s leading sponsors, CROs, and hospital systems. Nick worked with partner-clients to design and implement solutions that accelerate the activation of clinical trials, eliminate the duplication of efforts in research, and promote the highest standards of safety for research subjects.

During his career, Nick has provided guidance to more than 150 sponsors, CROs, and sites. He was previously the director of consulting services for HRP Consulting Group and the Associate Director of Accreditation for AAHRPP. A trained ethicist, Nick earned a master’s degree in bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Jacob S. Van Naarden

Executive Vice President and President, Lilly Oncology, Eli Lilly and Company

Jake Van Naarden serves as executive vice president and president of Lilly Oncology for Eli Lilly and Company. In this role, Jake oversees all aspects of oncology spanning discovery through commercial.

Jake joined Lilly in 2019 when the company acquired Loxo Oncology, Inc., where he was the chief operating officer. Following the acquisition, Jake played a key role in establishing the oncology research and development program.

In his earlier roles, Jake worked in various biotechnology investing, operational, and advisory capacities, including positions with HealthCor Management, Aisling Capital, and Goldman Sachs.

Jake received his A.B. degree in molecular biology from Princeton University.

Peyton Howell

CEO, Parexel

Peyton Howell is Chief Executive Officer of Parexel and a member of the company’s Board of Directors. She has more than 30 years of pharma services and healthcare industry experience.

Peyton served most recently as Chief Operating and Growth Officer responsible for Parexel’s operational delivery, strategy and growth. From 2018 to 2022 she was the company’s Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer, implementing its patient-focused strategy and launching its Biotech business unit. During her tenure Peyton has made a significant impact in growing Parexel’s customer relationships, delivering strong growth in gross new business awards during a period of significant change in the life sciences industry.  

Peyton’s healthcare industry experience includes senior leadership positions with AmerisourceBergen (now Cencora), a Fortune 20 company, most recently as President for Health Systems and Specialty Care Solutions, a $50 billion business unit. Prior to AmerisourceBergen, she was a founder of Lash Group, growing the company from an early innovator of patient access services to nearly 5,000 employees and serving as President for nearly 10 years following its acquisition by AmerisourceBergen.

Peyton serves on the Board of Directors of Tandem Diabetes Care (NASDAQ: TNDM), a medical device manufacturer. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO) and was its Chairperson in 2024. She holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Health Communications from the University of Illinois. In 2022, Peyton was recognized with PharmaVoice’s highest distinction as a Red Jacket honoree, which distinguishes an elite group of leaders viewed as the most inspiring in the life sciences industry. 

Kamran Ansari

SVP, Head of Clinical Development & Operations Pfizer Research & Development

Kamran Ansari, MS, is the Senior Vice President and Head of Clinical Development & Operations at Pfizer. With over 27 years of experience, Kamran has a proven track record of successful operational execution by nurturing high-functioning teams capable of delivering for patients with quality, completeness, and speed. His diverse experiences across various organizations have enabled him to bring together the agility of a biotech with the capabilities of a large pharmaceutical company. Prior to joining Pfizer, Kamran contributed to Seagen, Merck Oncology, and Sanofi. He holds a Master’s degree in pharmacology from Thomas Jefferson University and completed his undergraduate studies at Temple University.

moderator

Chris Takimoto

Chief Medical Officer, The START Center for Cancer Research

Chris Takimoto, MD, PhD, is the Global Chief Medical Officer of The START Center for Cancer Research. Chris has worked in oncology drug development for over three decades. He has extensive experience in early phase oncology trials both as a clinical investigator and as an industry sponsor.

Before joining START, Chris was the CMO for IGM Biosciences, a clinical stage, public biotechnology company, and he also was a Senior Vice President in Oncology at Gilead Sciences. Prior to that, he was the CMO at Forty Seven, Inc., a biotechnology company that was acquired by Gilead in 2020, and he was also a Vice President at Johnson & Johnson/Janssen R&D overseeing Oncology Experimental Medicine Early Development.

Chris was one of the original Phase 1 Investigators at START when it was founded in 2007, and he has held faculty positions at the Cancer Therapy and Research Center, the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, the National Cancer Institute, and the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, MD. He completed fellowships in Medical Oncology and Clinical Pharmacology, and he is a graduate of the Yale University School of Medicine where he received his MD and a PhD in Pharmacology. Chris also holds an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Stanford University.