The Start Center for Cancer Research has opened its first cancer clinical trial site in Italy.
Start teamed up with Italian public research hospital organization Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO) to open an early-phase clinical trial site at the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute. The partnership aims to expand access to investigational cancer therapies for eligible patients in Rome, the Lazio region and across Italy.
According to a 2025 report, Italy records approximately 390,000 new cancer diagnoses a year. Despite the high incidence, Italy has fewer clinical trials relative to its population than several major Western European markets, according to Start's Nov. 3 news release.
Through the partnership, Start will bring its expertise in early-phase oncology research and its global portfolio of industry-sponsored clinical trials to the institute.
IFO operates the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, which combines patient care and biomedical research and treats patients at every stage of cancer. Regina Elena provides care for patients with major solid tumors, rare cancers and hematologic malignancies.
“Italy has a substantial cancer burden and world-class institutions, yet clinical trial activity relative to population remains lower than in several other major European markets,” Nick Slack, CEO of Start, said in the release.
“By partnering with IFO and the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, an established leader in Italian cancer care and research, we can bring early-phase oncology research closer to patients across Italy and advance our mission of providing Hope Through Access.”