START and OneOncology Partner to Expand Access to Early-Phase Oncology Trials

Partnership Will Launch Three New START Research Sites to Bring Early Phase Trials Closer to Patients in Major U.S. Communities

The START Center for Cancer Research (“START”) and OneOncology today announced a strategic partnership to launch early-phase clinical trial sites. The rollout includes the Los Angeles Cancer Network (LACN, California), The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD, Texas), and Astera Cancer Care (New Jersey).

This arrangement builds on the success of START’s existing trial site at The Cancer and Hematology Centers in Michigan, which is also a partner practice of OneOncology, the physician-led national oncology platform. This strategic partnership directly addresses the critical need to expand access to innovative cancer therapies in community practices, where the majority of cancer patients receive care but have historically had access to fewer than 20% of early-phase clinical trials.

“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.

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,” said Nick Slack, Chairman and CEO of START.

Nick Slack

START, recognized globally as the largest early-phase oncology research network, operates 10 clinical trial sites worldwide, with 31 Principal Investigators overseeing more than 700 early-phase clinical trials. Since its inception, START has contributed directly to the development and FDA/EMA approval of more than 45 groundbreaking cancer therapies.

“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. Together, we’re transforming the patient experience, bringing innovation closer to home and significantly impacting cancer outcomes nationwide,” said Jeff Patton, MD, CEO of OneOncology. 

Jeff Patton

OneOncology’s network is comprised of some of the nation’s largest and most influential community-based oncology practices, with more than 1,750 providers collectively caring for approximately 1 million patients annually across more than 565 locations.

Leaders from the partnering practices have underscored the transformative impact of this initiative.

Troy Simon, CEO of the Los Angeles Cancer Network, stated, “Our partnership with START will redefine possibilities for patients in Southern California, offering timely access to groundbreaking trials and treatments.”

Troy Simon

Barry Russo, CEO of The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Texas, added, “This collaboration with START significantly enhances our ability to deliver advanced clinical trials, aligning perfectly with our commitment to top-tier patient care.”

Barry Russo

Edward Licitra, MD, PhD, CEO of Astera Cancer Care in New Jersey, emphasized, “We are thrilled about this partnership, which bridges the innovation gap traditionally seen between community and academic oncology settings, making leading-edge clinical trials accessible to more patients across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”

Edward Licitra

The expansion of START sites across these OneOncology partner practices is scheduled to begin in July 2025, with site activations planned through early 2026. Each practice will be fully integrated into START’s operational and research infrastructure, ensuring rapid activation, consistent trial execution and data quality.

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