Penn State’s Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium welcomes SJD Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona, strengthening global leadership in pediatric cancer research
The Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB) at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu has become the first center outside North America to join the Beat Childhood Cancer (BCC) Research Consortium, an international pediatric cancer research organization that, until now, included only institutions from the United States and Canada.
Penn State College of Medicine and the BCC Research Consortium are proud to announce the expansion of their pediatric cancer clinical trials into Europe, marking a major milestone in their mission to accelerate access to life-saving therapies for children worldwide.
BCC is dedicated to developing clinical trials for pediatric cancers in collaboration with emerging pharmaceutical companies that are creating new treatments. While trials in the United States are promoted directly by the consortium, the PCCB will assume the role of European sponsor. The PCCB has a highly specialized team and facilities that integrate clinical care services with dedicated research spaces that will make them a valuable addition to the Consortium.
These projects are supported by Four Diamonds, the Beat Childhood Cancer Foundation, and a network of philanthropic organizations powered by fundraising efforts led by families and communities affected by pediatric cancer.
The teams from the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium at Penn State University and the Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu.
According to Jaume Mora, MD, PhD, scientific director of the PCCB and head of the Sarcomas and Neuroblastoma Research Group at the Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu: “This agreement allows our patients to access the most innovative treatments promoted from the USA. Our experience in clinical trials and the comprehensive care we provide to over 400 new patients each year will enable us to contribute significantly to international research and improve the quality of life of children living with cancer.”
Next week, the first clinical trial, BCC018, will be submitted for evaluation to the European CTIS portal. This trial studies the use of naxitamab as a first-line treatment in newly diagnosed patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. This milestone represents a key step in allowing patients outside North America to access groundbreaking treatments developed by the BCC Research Consortium.
“We are thrilled to see the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium extend its reach to the Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona, reflecting Penn State College of Medicine’s deep commitment to advancing global medicine,” said Dean Karen Kim, MD, MS. “This partnership strengthens our shared mission to accelerate pediatric cancer research and bring life-changing treatments to children and families in Pennsylvania and beyond.”
“This expansion marks a remarkable milestone for the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium and Penn State, strengthening our leadership in global collaboration and our ability to accelerate access to life-saving therapies worldwide,” said Giselle Saulnier Sholler, MD, MSc, chair and founder of the BCC Research Consortium. “Every child facing a cancer diagnosis deserves timely access to innovative treatments, no matter where they live. By expanding our research presence into Europe, we can increase the speed of discovery through advancing and completing studies more efficiently to bring new hope to families around the world. Dr. Jaume Mora’s expertise and leadership in pediatric oncology will further strengthen our global research efforts and shared mission to improve outcomes for children everywhere.”
With this incorporation, SJD and Penn State strengthen their position as international leaders in pediatric cancer research and innovation.
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