START Center Strengthens New Jersey Oncology Research with Key Hire
Event summary
- START Center appointed Dr. Neel Belani as Clinical Investigator at START New Jersey on April 30, 2026.
- Dr. Belani brings expertise in thoracic oncology and early-phase clinical trials, with over 200 Phase 1 studies as Sub-Investigator.
- START New Jersey serves a population of 10 million with approximately 150,000 new cancer cases annually.
- The appointment strengthens START's global network of community-based research sites.
The big picture
START Center continues to fortify its position as the largest community-based network for early-phase oncology trials, leveraging strategic hires to expand access in high-opportunity markets like New Jersey. This appointment aligns with broader industry trends toward decentralized clinical research and the growing demand for innovative cancer therapies. With over 1,000 early-phase trials conducted and more than 50 FDA/EMA approvals linked to its sites, START is well-positioned to capitalize on the increasing complexity of oncology drug development.
What we're watching
- Trial Acceleration
- How Dr. Belani's appointment will impact the pace of early-phase trial enrollment and completion at START New Jersey.
- Market Expansion
- Whether START can sustain its growth in community-based oncology research through strategic hires like this one.
- Therapeutic Focus
- The extent to which Dr. Belani's expertise in thoracic oncology will influence START's trial portfolio and partnerships.