Spotlight interview - Patients first, faster: Partnerships that accelerate oncology trials and access in Australia

In conversation with Professor Jayesh Desai and Dr Qiao Watkins, this interview unpacks what it takes in practice to build trial-ready teams, streamline start-up, and embed research in routine cancer care. We highlight the dual value proposition—faster global development and earlier access options through clinical trials—and offer a replicable blueprint for hospital–industry collaboration across Asia-Pacific.

Investing in clinical research and partnerships can bridge divides and build future-ready cancer systems. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and BeOne Medicines share how sustained, mission-aligned collaboration turns early science into patient impact. Clinical trials play a critical role in providing early access to innovative therapies while advancing new breakthroughs.

Since 2014, Peter Mac has led first Phase 1 (first-in-human) early pipeline and has become BeOne’s largest Australian recruiting site—leading 15+ Phase 1 studies and contributing to 20+ presentations at major congresses.

Aligned to WCLS 2025 (“Bridging Divides, Building Futures”), we focus on what leaders can do now: fund people, processes and platforms; enable cross-border exchanges; and measure what matters - activation timelines, time to first-patient-in, audit quality, and retention.