In our sixth episode, we share the story of C-Further, a collaboration between Cancer Research Horizons and LifeArc focused on creating more effective, targeted medicines for children and young people with cancer. We are joined by Curtis Asante from LifeArc and our very own Matt Ashenden for a discussion about how C-further is planning to develop more effective and kinder medicines for children and young people with cancer, why we need partnerships to achieve this ambitious goal and what it’s like to manage such a complex partnership.

Appearing in this episode:

Curtis Asante, Alliance Manager, LifeArc

Curtis is the Alliance Manager for childhood cancer at LifeArc where he provides an alliance management framework to ensure strategic alliances like C-Further meet their contractual obligations and strategic goals as well as maintain healthy, equitable and productive relationships. Prior to joining LifeArc, Curtis held several roles covering editorial, project and programme management, as well as stakeholder engagement at Nature Communications, UKRI’s UK Regenerative Medicine Platform, Cancer Research UK and the Microbiology Society.

Matthew Ashenden, Therapeutic Discovery Programme Executive (Children’s & Young People’s Cancer), Cancer Research Horizons

Matt moved to Cancer Research Horizons in 2023 to coordinate the launch of C-Further. In addition to his role as alliance manager for the founding partnership with LifeArc, he is responsible for day-to-day operations and the governance structures within the consortium.

Matt has a background in cancer biology and holds a PhD from the Institute of Cancer Research, London. In 2015 he joined Cancer Research UK, holding roles across its funding teams including discovery research and centres and institutes. During this time, he led on several strategic initiatives, including the launch the Charity’s radiotherapy research network (RadNet) in 2019.

Host: Carina Santos, Strategic Alliance Executive, Cancer Research Horizons.

Useful links:

Cancer Research Horizons – our partnerships

C-Further

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In episode 5, we delve into how strategic alliance teams can demonstrate their value to senior leadership. We are joined by Fernanda Piza, strategic alliance consultant at Symbix Consulting and partner at Alliance Accelerator, who provides practical advice and examples on how to bridge the gap between the often-intangible value created by alliance management and the tangible metrics valued by senior executives.

Appearing in this episode:

Fernanda Piza, Consultant at Symbix Consulting

Fernanda played key roles in establishing and managing alliances in development and commercial phases, as well as in managing alliance portfolios, while working for pharmaceutical companies in Brazil. She now provides consultancy and advisory services, as well as training on alliance management, this last one both via Symbix as well as by means of her partnership with Peter Simoons and Anoop Nathwani, at Alliance Accelerator.

Host: Carina Santos, Strategic Alliance Executive, Cancer Research Horizons.

Useful links: Cancer Research Horizons – our partnerships | Alliance Accelerator

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In the first three episodes of this podcast, we highlighted what makes strategic alliances important, and what the challenges and success factors are for different kinds of partnerships. Now, it’s time to go into the nitty gritty of how to set up a high-performing Alliance Management team from scratch. Where to start? How to make sure the team is set up for success? In this episode we speak to Rebecca Wilson, Head of Alliance Management at LifeArc, about the key considerations to keep in mind when forming a team.

Appearing in this episode:

Rebecca Wilson, Head of Alliance Management at LifeArc

Rebecca Wilson joined the medical research charity LifeArc in February 2024 as Head of Alliance Management where she has built a new alliance management function that aims to maximise the value and impact of LifeArc’s alliances. The team focuses on accelerating LifeArc’s strategy to transform scientific discoveries into impact for patients with rare diseases and in global health.

Rebecca has a wealth of experience in partnership management and business development, having worked in academic and commercial research settings in the UK and abroad. Before joining LifeArc, Rebecca held key roles, including Head of Strategic Partnerships at the Francis Crick Institute and Director of Industry Partnerships and Commercialisation at Imperial College London, where she oversaw research collaborations, technology commercialisation, and contributed to the UK's Industrial Strategy. She has also worked in biotech startups in the UK (Microscience Ltd) and Australia (Apollo Life Sciences). With a Ph.D. in infectious diseases from Imperial College London and postdoc experience at University of California, San Franciso, her career is marked by a commitment to advancing scientific research and innovation.

Host: Carina Santos, Strategic Alliance Executive, Cancer Research Horizons.

Useful links: Cancer Research Horizons – our partnerships | LifeArc - partnerships

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