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.

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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])

On May 20, 2026 Creatv Bio, a Division of Creatv MicroTech, Inc. ("Creatv"), a cancer diagnostic blood testing company, reported five posters in conjunction with several research collaborators at the 2026 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, held in San Diego, CA.

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1. Mitosis in circulating tumor cells correlates with highly aggressive disease in metastatic breast cancer
Abstract: 1065

Key Finding: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) undergoing mitosis is indicative of highly aggressive disease with poor survival rates.

2. Monitoring PD-L1 in tumor macrophage fusion cells in blood correlates to PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor responses in metastatic breast cancer
Abstract: 1025

Key Finding: Monitoring PD-L1 in tumor macrophage fusion cells (TMFCs) serves as a real-time blood biomarker that predicts Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) responses in metastatic breast cancer.

3. Combining circulating tumor cells and cancer associated macrophage-like cells enhances risk stratification models in pan-cancer metastatic disease
Abstract: 1068

Key Finding: Cancer associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs) are a subtype of TMFCs. Simultaneous quantification of both CTCs and CAMLs allows for more accurate patient risk stratification.

4. Leronlimab induces PD-L1 expression and is associated with long term survival with an ICI in PD-L1 low metastatic TNBC
Abstract: 1033

Key Finding: Monitoring PD-L1 expression on CTCs and CAMLs identifies PD-L1 upregulation after treatment with leronlimab.

5. Preliminary results of a phase 2 study of leronlimab in combination with TAS-102 and bevacizumab in previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer
Abstract: 6466

Key Finding: Monitoring CTCs, CAMLs and ctDNA show promise as early assessments for clinical response when treated with leronlimab.

Creatv’s LifeTracDx blood test utilized CellSieve microfilters to isolate, collect and measure both CTCs and CAMLs (number and size) in each of the clinical studies above.

(Press release, Creatv Bio, MAY 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234665902])

On May 20, 2026 Continuity Biosciences, LLC, a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing precision drug delivery platforms, reported the initiation of a Phase I, first-in-human clinical trial evaluating gemcitabine delivered via its iontophoretic oncology platform (IOP) for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

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The study, listed on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07481383), is now open for enrollment at leading academic medical centers, including WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, West Virginia University’s academic medical center (Morgantown, WV), and Taubman Ctr Univ Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan’s academic medical center (Ann Arbor, MI).

Designed to enable localized, controlled delivery of therapeutics directly into pancreatic tumors, Continuity Biosciences’ proprietary IOP platform aims to address longstanding challenges in drug penetration and systemic toxicity that have limited the effectiveness of conventional treatment approaches. By increasing intratumoral drug concentration while minimizing systemic exposure, the IOP platform is intended to support more effective use of both existing and emerging oncology therapies.

"This first-in-human study represents an important milestone in our mission to transform how therapies are delivered to solid tumors," said Ramakrishna "Krishna" Venugopalan, Chief Executive Officer of Continuity Biosciences. "By enabling precise, localized delivery, we believe our platform has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of existing therapies and serve as a foundation for combination treatment approaches across multiple tumor types."

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality, with five-year survival rates remaining in the low double digits. Despite advances in systemic therapies, effective drug delivery to pancreatic tumors continues to be a major barrier to improved outcomes.

"Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat, and patients urgently need better options," said Jen Jen Yeh, MD, Director of the Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence at the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. "Approaches that effectively deliver therapy precisely to the tumor while sparing the rest of the body could meaningfully change outcomes for patients."

"This trial is a critical step toward safer, more effective delivery of gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer patients," said Brian Boone, M.D., surgical oncologist at the WVU Cancer Institute and principal investigator for the WVU Medicine trial. "By targeting therapy directly to the tumor, we hope to improve outcomes while reducing the side effects that so often limit treatment in advanced disease."

"One of the central challenges in treating pancreatic cancer is getting enough drug into the tumor without harming the rest of the body," said Dr. Benjamin Ferguson, M.D., PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery and surgical oncologist at the University of Michigan Medical Center. "This study will tell us whether targeted, localized delivery can overcome that barrier for gemcitabine and potentially open the door to better treatment strategies for patients with limited options."

Beyond pancreatic cancer, Continuity Biosciences is exploring the broader applicability of its IOP platform across additional oncology settings, including localized delivery of carboplatin in oral head and neck cancers.

(Press release, Continuity Biosciences, MAY 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234665901])

On May 20, 2026 Whitehawk Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: WHWK), a clinical-stage oncology therapeutics company applying advanced technologies to established tumor biology to efficiently deliver improved antibody drug conjugate (ADC) cancer treatments, reported Dave Lennon, PhD, President and CEO, will participate in a virtual fireside chat as part of the TD Cowen 7th Annual Oncology Innovation Summit: Insights for ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) & EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 11:00 AM ET.

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A live webcast of the event can be accessed by visiting the Whitehawk Therapeutics IR website and will be available for replay for approximately 30 days following the event.

(Press release, Whitehawk Therapeutics, MAY 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234665900])

On May 20, 2026 Syndax Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SNDX), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing innovative cancer therapies, reported that Michael A. Metzger, Chief Executive Officer, as well as members of the Syndax management team, reported it will participate in the following upcoming investor conferences:

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TD Cowen 7th Annual Oncology Innovation Summit with a virtual fireside chat on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference in New York, NY with a fireside chat on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 9:20 a.m. ET.
Goldman Sachs 47th Annual Global Healthcare Conference in Miami Beach, FL, with a fireside chat on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET.

A live webcast of the fireside chats will be available in the Investor section of the Company’s website at www.syndax.com, where a replay will also be available for a limited time.

(Press release, Syndax, MAY 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234665897])