Moving Medicine Forward

CTI Clinical Trials

CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services presents Moving Medicine Forward, a podcast centered on advancements in healthcare and elevating individual’s stories and expertise. CTI, a global Contract Research organization with associates in 60 countries, has contributed to 10,000+ projects, 200+ drug and device approvals, and 300+ pharmaceutical and emerging biotechnology partners. Our group of innovative thinkers work to change the lives of chronically and critically ill patients.

  1. 5d ago

    Building Better Clinical Trials: Study Start-Up, Patients, and Global Data

    What does it take to set a complex global clinical trial up for success? In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward, we are joined by Megan Kamm, Senior Vice President of Client Delivery, and Josh Schroeder, Vice President of Site & Field Operations, to discuss how strong planning, site partnerships, and cross-functional collaboration drive successful trial execution. From feasibility and study startup to patient centered decision-making, biometrics strategy, and global expansion, they share insights into the operational challenge —and opportunities—behind bringing innovative therapies to patients faster.    01:22 Megan Kamm and Josh Schroeder discuss their expanded leadership roles and growing collaboration across teams. 03:44 Why feasibility, country strategy, and study startup are critical to trial success. 05:07 The importance of site partnerships, patient experience, and reducing operational burden. 06:16 How project managers, CRAs, data managers, and site teams work together to execute complex trials. 07:01 Common startup challenges and strategies for keeping studies on track. 08:13 Managing patient-centered logistics in rare disease and cell & gene therapy programs. 11:15 Real-world examples of strong coordination improving enrollment and accelerating timelines. 13:19 The growing role of biometrics, statistics, and risk-based monitoring in study execution. 15:15 Scaling global teams through consistent training, leadership alignment, and operational excellence. 16:48 What differentiates CTI: collaboration, service, and a deep commitment to patients. 18:59 Looking ahead: AI, technology, startup optimization, and continued global growth. 21:05 Opportunities and challenges of expanding operations in China and the APAC region.

    Building Better Clinical Trials: Study Start-Up, Patients, and Global Data
  2. Jul 15

    From Australia to China: CTI's APAC Growth Journey

    Asia Pacific has become one of the fastest-growing regions in clinical research, offering sponsors new opportunities to advance clinical development in an increasingly complex global environment. In this episode, Pavels Anetko, Director of Clinical Operations and Clinical Project Management at CTI, shares insights from across the region, including Australia's strengths in early phase studies and CTI's recent expansion into China and Japan.     01:24 Pavels’ background, career journey, and leadership role overseeing CTI's project management teams across Asia Pacific. 02:13 Why APAC is one of the fastest-growing regions for clinical development and the increasing influence of China. 02:41 CTI's growth strategy in Australia and the region's advantages for early-phase research, including the CTN regulatory pathway and R&D tax incentives. 04:06 The rise of healthy volunteer and Phase I studies in Australia. 04:27 Building CTI's presence in China and Japan and navigating more complex regulatory environments. 05:05 Staying aligned with regional regulatory requirements while maintaining global clinical trial standards. 05:40 How CTI helps sponsors select the right countries, sites, and patient populations across APAC. 06:20 Why local infrastructure, language expertise, and in-country teams are critical to trial success. 07:09 Challenges sponsors face when entering new APAC markets and how local support reduces risk. 07:36 The strategic value of including Japan and China in global studies, including access to patients and regulatory considerations. 08:58 How APAC can accelerate development timelines and strengthen regulatory submissions. 09:38 Key operational considerations for global studies, including logistics, specimen handling, and country-specific requirements.  10:08 Emerging opportunities across APAC, including growth in Southeast Asia and expanding clinical research markets.  10:54 Pavels shares career highlights, including gene therapy studies in Australia and supporting COVID-19 vaccine trials in Singapore.  12:44 Closing thoughts on the future of APAC and its growing influence on global clinical development.

    From Australia to China: CTI's APAC Growth Journey
  3. Jul 8

    ALK Positive: How Patients are Driving Research

    Summer Farmen and Jeff Sturm share their personal cancer journeys and the mission behind ALK Positive, CTI’s Q3 Charity of the Quarter. ALK Positive is a patient-driven organization dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals living with ALK-positive cancer. Together, they discuss how they became advocates within a global patient community, the importance of genetic testing and second opinions, and the role of research initiatives and clinical trials in advancing treatment options and improving patient outcomes. 00:00 Introduction to ALK Positive and today's guests, Summer Farmen and Jeff Sturm. 01:14 Summer and Jeff share their personal cancer journeys and what led them to become advocates within the ALK Positive community. 02:33 The mission of ALK Positive: connecting patients, funding research, and ensuring no one faces the diagnosis alone. 03:49 Why second opinions matter and how specialized expertise can significantly impact treatment decisions.   06:19 Research initiatives supported by ALK Positive, including clinical trials, grants, and collaborations focused on new treatment approaches. 10:46 Challenging the perception of ALK-positive cancer as a “rare” disease and advocating for greater representation in research and clinical trials. 13:22 How targeted therapies have transformed outcomes and extended survival for many ALK-positive patients. 15:47 The realities of survivorship: managing side effects, quality of life, and the role of palliative care. 17:27 The importance of genetic testing, monitoring disease progression, and making informed treatment decisions. 21:15 Clinical trial participation: common barriers, improving access, and helping patients connect with opportunities. 26:16 Building community through support groups, education programs, Healing Arts initiatives, and patient connections.   28:46 Addressing the emotional and mental health challenges that often accompany a cancer diagnosis. 32:50 Looking ahead: emerging therapies, vaccine research, precision medicine, and the future of ALK-positive cancer treatment. 36:51 Resources available through ALK Positive and how patients and caregivers can get involved.   37:54 Closing thoughts on advocacy, community, and the patient voices helping shape the future of cancer research.

    ALK Positive: How Patients are Driving Research
  4. Jul 1

    MMF Rewind | CTI's Next Chapter: A Conversation with Jon Koch and Brian Lawrence

    This week, we're revisiting a previous conversation with Jon Koch, CEO, and Brian Lawrence, CFO and President, as they share their perspective on what’s next for CTI as the organization enters a new phase of growth. They reflect on CTI’s legacy of partnership and execution while outlining how they plan to expand its impact across complex clinical trials. From scaling capabilities and investing in talent to strengthening operational discipline and embracing data-driven decision-making, Jon and Brian offer an inside look at how leadership alignment is shaping strategy. They also explore the evolving demands of the clinical research industry, from the need for predictability and site support to the practical application of technology and AI. At its core, this conversation is about balancing growth with purpose: delivering for sponsors, strengthening teams, and ultimately improving outcomes for patients. 00:36 CTI Rewind: Revisiting CTI's leadership transition and future vision00:58 Expanding CTI's reach in complex and advanced therapy trials02:23 Disciplined growth strategy and sustainable global expansion04:38 CTI's legacy of care, credibility, and partnership06:14 Driving performance through metrics and accountability09:03 Leadership alignment and partnership in action12:13 Talent development, infrastructure, and AI enablement14:14 Positioning CTI for continued growth in complex trials17:12 Key industry trends: predictability, sites, and technology20:40 Sustaining culture and employee experience22:08 Long-term vision: scale, impact, and global presence25:15 Closing takeaways: quality, people, and execution

    MMF Rewind | CTI's Next Chapter: A Conversation with Jon Koch and Brian Lawrence
  5. Jun 25

    Small Wins, Big Impact: Lessons from Pediatric Oncology

    What does it take to design clinical trials that truly put patients first—especially when those patients are children? In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward, Dr. Radhika Peddinti, Medical Director at CTI, discusses her journey from pediatric hematology/oncology at the bedside to shaping clinical research at a global scale. Drawing on more than two decades of experience caring for children and their families, Dr. Pennant shares how those deeply human moments continue to influence how she approaches trial design today. From the emotional realities of pediatric oncology to the promise of gene therapies and targeted treatments, this conversation highlights the balance between scientific rigor and compassion—and why both are essential to advancing medicine. Together, they discuss how clinical trials can be designed to reflect real patient lives, the evolving landscape of rare disease research, and the leadership perspective required to make decisions that impact patients far beyond the clinic. If you're interested in the future of pediatric research, patient centered innovation, and what it truly means to move medicine forward, this episode is for you.   00:37 Meet Dr. Peddinti | Background in pediatric hematology/oncology and transition to CTI. 01:17 Finding Her Path | From training in India to a career shaped by patient and family experiences. 03:37 From Bedside to Research | Shifting focus to impact patients at a broader scale. 04:00 The Reality of Pediatric Oncology | Challenges, resilience, and redefining normal for children and families. 05:39 Expanding Impact Through Trials | Sickle cell research and the move into clinical development. 07:33 Designing with Patients in Mind | Bringing real-life patient needs into clinical trial design. 08:58 Balancing Science & Compassion | Why rigor and humanity are both critical to successful trials. 09:30 Leadership Lessons | Showing up with honesty, empathy, and adaptability. 10:47 The Future of Medicine | Breakthroughs in targeted therapies, gene therapy, and cure-focused research. 13:15 Advice for Clinicians | You don’t need to check every box—your experience matters.

    Small Wins, Big Impact: Lessons from Pediatric Oncology
4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services presents Moving Medicine Forward, a podcast centered on advancements in healthcare and elevating individual’s stories and expertise. CTI, a global Contract Research organization with associates in 60 countries, has contributed to 10,000+ projects, 200+ drug and device approvals, and 300+ pharmaceutical and emerging biotechnology partners. Our group of innovative thinkers work to change the lives of chronically and critically ill patients.