Rome – – November 03, 2026 --
The START Center for Cancer Research will open its first Italian early-phase oncology trial site inside Rome's IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena, under a strategic partnership with the public hospital organization Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO). The site will be fully integrated into START's network and will have access to its global trial portfolio from day one.
Italy's 390,000 annual cancer diagnoses meet a thinner trial footprint
Italy records approximately 390,000 new cancer diagnoses a year, according to the 2025 edition of the national report "I numeri del cancro in Italia," produced by AIOM and partner organizations. Despite that burden, Italy runs fewer clinical trials relative to its population than several major Western European markets, the companies said. They describe this gap as an opening for sponsors to reach patients through established research institutions.
START Chairman and CEO Nick Slack, MBE, said the partnership will "bring early-phase oncology research closer to patients across Italy."
Regina Elena brings a national referral base and European network ties
Regina Elena is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Health as an IRCCS. It treats patients from Rome and the Lazio region, patients referred from other Italian regions, and patients from abroad. Its expertise spans major adult solid tumors, hematological malignancies and rare cancers.
Across its two institutes, IFO records on average about 10,000 inpatient and day-hospital admissions and more than 1.275 million outpatient services a year. The second institute is the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute. Regina Elena belongs to the European Reference Network for adult solid cancers and is a member of Alleanza Contro il Cancro, the alliance of Italian IRCCS cancer centers.
START extends a 17-site network of nearly 1,000 active studies into Italy
START operates what it calls the largest global network of early-phase clinical trial sites. It has more than 45 Principal Investigators across 17 locations in the United States and Europe. Its nearly 1,000 active studies make up one of the most extensive portfolios of industry-sponsored early-phase cancer trials worldwide, according to the company.
START sites have conducted more than 1,000 early-phase trials, including trials for 50 therapies later approved by the FDA or EMA. The Rome location gives sponsors a new country through which to use that network.
Partners tie trial evaluation to existing oncology care
The partnership pairs START's early-phase trial experience with IFO's clinical and translational research capabilities. By placing the site inside an established cancer institute, the partners aim to connect trial evaluation more closely with patients' ongoing oncology care. Patients, families and physicians gain more trial options within the continuum of care.
IFO Director General Livio De Angelis said the collaboration will connect more patients with early-phase research while strengthening the integration of care and innovation. Giovanni Blandino, Scientific Director of Regina Elena, said combining the institute's multidisciplinary expertise with START's network can create new collaboration opportunities across a broad range of cancers.