The START Center for Cancer Research (START), based in the US, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Fundación Rioja Salud in Spain to increase access to early-phase cancer clinical trials in the La Rioja region. This partnership aims to integrate cutting-edge research into clinical practice, providing new treatment opportunities for cancer patients.
Strategic Placement and Reach
The collaboration has established a START early-phase unit in La Rioja, situated within San Pedro University Hospital, which annually admits approximately 1,800 new cancer patients. This location is strategically positioned to serve the northern regions of Spain, including Aragón, País Vasco, Navarra, Castilla y León, Cantabria, and Asturias, potentially reaching over 8.1 million individuals.
Leadership Perspectives
Nick Slack, CEO and chairman of START, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, "This partnership with Rioja Salud marks a significant milestone in our mission to enhance access to cutting-edge cancer treatments. By expanding our network to La Rioja, we are not only reaching more patients but also reinforcing our commitment to pioneering cancer research and care."
Juan Carlos Oliva Peréz, CEO of Fundación Rioja Salud, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting, "This partnership enables us to offer our community access to the forefront of cancer research and treatment options that were previously unavailable in our region."
START's Expanding Network
START's clinical trial sites have conducted over 1,000 early-phase clinical trials to date. The center's network in Spain also includes sites at HM Sanchinarro Hospital and Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz in Madrid, as well as HM Nou Delfos Hospital in Barcelona. This expansion follows START's recent collaboration with Northwell Health to establish two early-phase clinical trial sites in New York.
