START Expands Early-Phase Oncology Footprint with Key Hire in Los Angeles — The START Center for Cancer Research

Event summary

START appoints Dr. Navid Hafez as Director of Clinical Research at its new Los Angeles site on January 26, 2026.
Dr. Hafez brings over a decade of experience in early-phase oncology trials from roles at Cedars-Sinai and Yale School of Medicine.
START Los Angeles is the network's 15th site, embedded within one of the nation's largest community-based oncology practices serving 14 million people.
The new site will focus on expanding access to early-phase trials for diverse patient populations in Southern California.

The big picture

START's appointment of Dr. Hafez underscores its strategy to dominate early-phase oncology trials through geographic expansion and elite clinical talent acquisition. The move comes as biopharma companies increasingly prioritize diverse patient enrollment in pivotal studies, positioning START to capture more sponsor-driven trial business. With 15 sites now operational, the network is solidifying its role as a critical access point for novel cancer therapies.

What we're watching

Execution Risk: Whether START can integrate Dr. Hafez's expertise to accelerate trial execution in Los Angeles while maintaining quality across its expanding network.
Market Expansion: The pace at which START can leverage LACN's patient base to increase early-phase trial participation among diverse populations in Southern California.
Competitive Positioning: How this strategic hire and site expansion will affect START's standing against other large community-based oncology research networks.