NEXT Oncology, an Avacare business, has expanded its services to Asia through a strategic partnership with Kansai Medical University in Osaka, Japan. Under the guidance of Dr. Toshio Shimizu as the Director of the Phase I program, Kansai Medical University will now offer patients in Japan the opportunity to participate in Phase I clinical trials as part of the global NEXT Oncology network.

"Together with Kansai Medical University, we’re building new bridges for innovation and expanding access to breakthrough therapies for patients in Japan and beyond.” Dr. Anthony Tolcher, CEO, NEXT Oncology

Dr. Shimizu is a Professor in the Department of New Experimental Therapeutics and Director of Early Phase I Drug Development Services at the Kansai Medical University Hospital, Osaka, Japan. Under the leadership and mentorship of NEXT Oncology’s CEO and Founder Dr. Anthony W. Tolcher, he completed an advanced clinical fellowship in early Phase I drug development in San Antonio from 2010 to 2012. Prof. Shimizu previously engaged in numerous oncology Phase I trials at the National Cancer Center Hospital (Tsukiji-Tokyo, Japan) during 2016-2022 as a Head of Physicians. In November of 2024, Prof. Shimizu launched a global oncology-focused first-in-human (FIH) Phase I trial platform at Kansai Medical University Hospital, where more than twenty oncology FIH Phase I trials are currently ongoing.

“Our goal has always been to bring the future of cancer treatments to patients today,” said Dr. Tolcher. “It’s especially meaningful to collaborate with Dr. Shimizu, whose skill and vision I came to know during his clinical fellowship. Together with Kansai Medical University, we’re building new bridges for innovation and expanding access to breakthrough therapies for patients in Japan and beyond.”

“NEXT Oncology and Dr. Tolcher’s global leadership in developing innovative cancer therapies is personally inspirational and is giving new hope to patients around the world,” added Dr. Shimizu. “Through this partnership, we’re ensuring that patients in Japan are part of that progress – benefitting from breakthrough treatments that could transform outcomes worldwide.”

With locations in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Texas; Arlington, Virginia; Barcelona and Madrid, Spain; Sao Paulo, Brazil, and now Osaka, Japan, NEXT Oncology has treated more than 1,000 patients per year—cementing its position as one of the leading Phase I clinical trial centers in the world.