The US-based START Center for Cancer Research (START) has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Spanish Fundación Rioja Salud to increase access to early-phase cancer clinical trials in La Rioja, Spain. This partnership aims to integrate research into clinical practice within the region.
Strategic Placement and Potential Reach
The collaboration has established a START early-phase unit in La Rioja, co-located with San Pedro University Hospital, which sees approximately 1,800 new cancer patients annually. This location is strategically positioned to serve the northern regions of Aragón, País Vasco, Navarra, Castilla y León, Cantabria, and Asturias, potentially benefiting over 8.1 million individuals.
Leadership Perspectives
Nick Slack, CEO and chairman of START, stated, "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, added, "We are excited to join forces with START. 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 clinical trial sites have conducted over 1,000 early-phase clinical trials to date. The center's network in Spain includes sites at HM Sanchinarro Hospital and Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz in Madrid, as well as HM Nou Delfos Hospital in Barcelona. The establishment of the La Rioja unit follows START's recent collaboration with Northwell Health to open two early-phase clinical trial sites in New York.
