NEXT Oncology expands to Japan through partnership with Kansai Medical

OSAKA - NEXT Oncology, an Avacare business, has expanded its Phase I cancer clinical trial services to Asia through a new partnership with Kansai Medical University in Osaka, Japan, according to a press release issued Wednesday.

The collaboration establishes Osaka as the newest location in NEXT Oncology’s global network, which already includes sites across the United States, Spain, and Brazil. Dr. Toshio Shimizu, Professor in the Department of New Experimental Therapeutics at Kansai Medical University Hospital, will serve as Director of the Phase I program.

Dr. Shimizu, who completed a clinical fellowship under NEXT Oncology’s CEO and Founder Dr. Anthony W. Tolcher from 2010 to 2012, launched a global oncology-focused first-in-human Phase I trial platform at Kansai Medical University Hospital in November 2024. The program currently has more than twenty oncology first-in-human Phase I trials underway.

"Our goal has always been to bring the future of cancer treatments to patients today," said Dr. Tolcher in the statement.

The partnership aims to increase access to experimental cancer therapies for patients in Japan. NEXT Oncology reports treating more than 1,000 patients annually across its network of locations in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Texas; Arlington, Virginia; Barcelona and Madrid, Spain; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and now Osaka, Japan.

In 2025, NEXT Oncology joined IQVIA (NYSE:IQV) and aligned with the Avacare Clinical Research Network, IQVIA’s network of specialized clinical research sites. IQVIA, a $35.9 billion market cap company, is a prominent player in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry according to InvestingPro. The company maintains a "GOOD" financial health rating and appears undervalued based on analyst consensus, with targets suggesting potential upside.

Kansai Medical University, established in 1928, operates a 797-bed hospital facility that serves over 2,100 outpatients daily and performs more than 13,000 surgeries annually, according to the release.Analysts have a bullish outlook on IQVIA, with 10 analysts recently revising earnings upward for the upcoming period. InvestingPro offers 8 more exclusive tips and comprehensive analysis through its Pro Research Report, providing investors with actionable intelligence on IQVIA and 1,400+ other top stocks.

In other recent news, IQVIA Holdings reported its third-quarter earnings for 2025, surpassing analyst expectations. The company posted an adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.00, slightly above the forecast of $2.97, and achieved revenue of $4.1 billion, exceeding the projected $4.08 billion. Despite these positive results, the stock experienced a pre-market decline, indicating cautious market sentiment. Additionally, Baird upgraded IQVIA’s stock rating from Neutral to Outperform, citing a moderately improving environment in the clinical and commercial research and development sector. The firm also raised its price target to $258.00 from $224.00. In contrast, TD Cowen downgraded IQVIA from Buy to Hold due to valuation concerns, though it increased the price target to $215.00 from $206.00. These recent developments highlight the varied perspectives on IQVIA’s financial health and future prospects.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.