- NEXT Oncology partners with Kansai Medical University in Osaka, Japan, to launch Phase I cancer clinical trials under Dr. Toshio Shimizu’s leadership
- The collaboration expands NEXT Oncology’s global network, bringing first-in-human oncology trials to Japanese patients
- With this addition, NEXT Oncology now operates in the U.S., Spain, Brazil, and Japan, strengthening its position as a global leader in early-phase cancer research
Expanding its services into Asia, NEXT Oncology, a business of Avacare, has entered into a strategic partnership with Kansai Medical University in Osaka, Japan. Now, under the directorship of Dr. Toshio Shimizu, who is the Director of the Phase I program, Kansai Medical University will offer Phase I clinical trials to Japanese patients as a part of the NEXT Oncology global network.
Dr. Shimizu is Professor, Department of New Experimental Therapeutics, and Director of Early Phase I Drug Development Services, Kansai Medical University Hospital, Osaka, Japan. Under the leadership and mentorship of NEXT Oncology's CEO and Founder, Dr. Anthony W. Tolcher, he completed an advanced clinical fellowship in early Phase I drug development in San Antonio from 2010 to 2012.
Prof. Shimizu previously engaged in numerous oncology Phase I trials at the National Cancer Center Hospital (Tsukiji-Tokyo, Japan) during 2016-2022 as a Head of Physicians. In November of 2024, Prof. Shimizu launched a global oncology focused first-in-human (FIH) Phase I trial platform at Kansai Medical University Hospital, where more than twenty oncology FIH Phase I trials are currently ongoing.
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"Our goal has always been to bring the future of cancer treatments to patients today", said Dr. Tolcher. "It's especially meaningful to collaborate with Dr. Shimizu, whose skill and vision I came to know during his clinical fellowship. Together with Kansai Medical University, we're building new bridges for innovation and expanding access to breakthrough therapies for patients in Japan and beyond".
" NEXT Oncology and Dr. Tolcher's global leadership in the development of innovative cancer therapies is personally inspiring and bringing new hope to patients all around the world", added Dr. Shimizu. Through this partnership we're ensuring that patients in Japan are part of that progress - benefiting from breakthrough treatments which could transform outcomes around the world.
With locations in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Texas; Arlington, Virginia; Barcelona and Madrid, Spain; Sao Paulo, Brazil, and now Osaka, Japan, NEXT Oncology has treated more than 1,000 patients per year, solidifying its position as one of the leading Phase I clinical trial centers in the world.
