Sarah Cannon Research Institute Announces Strategic Oncology Research Collaboration with Pfizer

On May 20, 2026 Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), one of the world’s leading oncology research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials, reported a strategic collaboration with Pfizer Inc. to advance the development of Pfizer’s oncology portfolio through a science‑driven and scaled research program designed to bring promising therapies to patients faster and closer to home.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Central to the collaboration is SCRI’s Accelero, a next-generation clinical trial delivery model designed to accelerate oncology drug development and expand patient access to innovative therapies in the community setting. By leveraging Accelero in this collaboration, SCRI and Pfizer aim to streamline trial operations, enhance site efficiency, and reduce burden for investigators and care teams.

SCRI and Pfizer previously collaborated on three studies utilizing the Accelero model, which quickly expanded to more than ten, enabling faster study start-up, improved execution, and the efficient delivery of promising therapies to patients closer to home. Leading the field in study start-up and time to enrollment, SCRI has achieved a 47% reduction in study activation timelines, enrolling the first patients 57% faster through Accelero compared to historical performance.

"This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to advance novel oncology therapies by conducting community-based research with scientific rigor," said Dee Anna Smith, chief executive officer, SCRI. "By combining Pfizer’s innovation with SCRI’s integrated research infrastructure and broad U.S. patient access, we can execute trials more efficiently, accelerate enrollment, and bring better treatment options to patients faster."

SCRI physicians and clinical experts provide strategic guidance across Pfizer’s oncology portfolio using real-world data to inform study design, clinical strategy, and digitally enabled approaches to research execution. By engaging early in protocol development, SCRI ensures innovative approaches align with operational feasibility and support shared goals for speed, quality, enrollment, and patient access.

"Pfizer is focused on advancing breakthroughs that have the potential to change patients’ lives," said Kamran Ansari, head of clinical development & operations, Pfizer. "By partnering with SCRI and leveraging their expertise, we have the opportunity to enhance recruitment and make our oncology clinical studies more accessible in local communities, with the goal of accelerating access to potential new therapies for people with cancer."

(Press release, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, MAY 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234665903])