Ian Hennessey, Vice President & General Counsel at CTI, joins Moving Medicine Forward to discuss the critical role legal affairs plays in advancing global clinical research. From navigating complex regulations and supporting trial operations to evaluating emerging technologies like AI, Ian shares how legal teams help organizations innovate responsibly while protecting patients and empowering scientific progress

00:00 | Career Journey From healthcare law to clinical research.

02:41 | Leadership & Mentorship Building teams through trust, support, and shared problem-solving.  

04:11 | Global Research Challenges Navigating regulations across countries while advancing clinical trials.

05:38 | Legal Affairs at CTI How legal operations, contracting, and compliance support research success.

07:31 | Enabling Innovation Balancing business goals, risk, and compliance with a solutions-first mindset.

08:50 | Adapting to Change Managing evolving regulations, technology, and industry expectations.

12:23 | AI and Clinical Research Exploring the opportunities and risks of emerging technologies.

15:41 | Looking Ahead Why the future of clinical research remains so promising.  

17:31 | Career Advice Guidance for professionals considering a career in life sciences legal affairs.

What happens behind the scenes to ensure new therapies are safe for patients? In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward, we are joined by John Kane, Vice President of Pharmacovigilance and Safety Services at CTI, to explore the critical role of drug safety throughout the clinical development process. John shares how safety teams collect and evaluate adverse event data, navigate complex global regulations, and help protect patients from clinical trials through post-market surveillance. He also discusses the growing impact of AI in pharmacovigilance, the continued growth of North Carolina's Research Triangle, and the rewarding career opportunities available in clinical research.

01:13 – Finding a Career in Clinical Research John shares how he transitioned from nursing into the clinical research industry.  

02:14 – CTI's Growth in Raleigh Why North Carolina's Research Triangle continues to attract biotech companies and research talent.

04:55 – Understanding Pharmacovigilance What pharmacovigilance is and how safety teams collect, evaluate, and report adverse events throughout a drug's lifecycle.

07:33 – Protecting Patients Through Drug Development How CTI safety teams monitor risks, identify safety signals, and communicate important findings to regulators and investigators.

09:55 – Navigating Global Regulations The growing complexity of global safety reporting requirements and regulatory compliance.

11:51 – The Role of AI in Drug Safety How AI may improve data processing, signal detection, and scientific literature review.

13:53 – A COVID-19 Success Story John reflects on supporting a large COVID-19 trial and managing high volumes of safety data.

14:38 – Collaboration at CTI Why teamwork and collaboration are key to successful clinical trials and patient impact.  

15:32 – Advice for Future Research Professionals Career opportunities in clinical research and how CTI helps new professionals enter the field.

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.

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.

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.

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 vision
00:58 Expanding CTI's reach in complex and advanced therapy trials
02:23 Disciplined growth strategy and sustainable global expansion
04:38 CTI's legacy of care, credibility, and partnership
06:14 Driving performance through metrics and accountability
09:03 Leadership alignment and partnership in action
12:13 Talent development, infrastructure, and AI enablement
14:14 Positioning CTI for continued growth in complex trials
17:12 Key industry trends: predictability, sites, and technology
20:40 Sustaining culture and employee experience
22:08 Long-term vision: scale, impact, and global presence
25:15 Closing takeaways: quality, people, and execution

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.

In this episode, we’re joined by Rafael Miñana Prieto, Senior Manager of Operations for Laboratory Services at CTI, who oversees global biorepository operations across the U.S. and Europe. He walks through the full specimen lifecycle—from kit design and sample collection to storage, retrieval, and delivery—and explains why biological specimens are the foundation of clinical research.

Rafael shares how consistent, end-to-end management, global standardization, and integrated laboratory services help protect data integrity, reduce risk, and improve outcomes across trials. He also highlights how small upstream decisions can impact downstream results, along with the operational challenges and evolving trends shaping modern biorepository services.

01:26 Rafael’s role and the end-to-end specimen lifecycle

02:15 Why sample integrity underpins clinical evidence and patient impact

03:26 Lifecycle complexity and global logistics challenges

04:16 Standardization, monitoring, and risk reduction strategies

05:32 Coordinating retrieval and global shipment

06:31 Upstream decisions (kit design, instructions) shaping outcomes

07:23 Integrated lab services and reduced fragmentation

07:59 Scaling challenges and pre-analytical gaps

09:24 Key trends: complexity, globalization, and data-driven operations

10:07 CAP accreditation and delivering consistent global standards

In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward, Dr. Robert Fisher—one of the pioneers of modern transplant surgery—explores the rapidly advancing field of xenotransplantation and why it may represent a true turning point in medicine.

From CRISPR-driven genetic engineering to breakthroughs in immunosuppression and scalable organ production, Dr. Fisher breaks down how decades of research are converging to make cross-species organ transplants a clinical reality.

The conversation also dives into what this means for patients, how it could transform transplant access, and the critical role of rigorous, collaborative clinical research in translating breakthrough science into real-world care.

01:23 Dr. Fisher’s path into transplant surgery

03:05 Why xenotransplantation is reaching a turning point (CRISPR + immunosuppression)

04:47 Advances enabling scalability, safety, and compatibility

08:32 Ethics, risks, and clearing misconceptions

10:27 Real-world patient impact and clinical considerations

13:10 Logistics, coordination, and clinical execution

15:49 New immunosuppression strategies driving success

17:44 Collaboration, ethics, and managing risk

20:49 Eliminating waitlists: expanding access to transplant

22:54 Milestones toward adoption and future outlook

What does a recovering clinical research market actually look like in 2026?

In this episode, Joel White, Owner of Market Cap Consulting, and Ryan Gifford, Vice President, Global Laboratory Services, Business Development & Client Management at CTI, join us to unpack the state of the industry—from the rebound in biotech funding to the growing importance of execution, site relationships, and smarter trial design.

We explore how increasing complexity is shaping partnerships, how labs and decentralized models are evolving, and what it will take to keep trials on track. Looking ahead, the conversation offers a practical perspective on what the next 12–18 months could bring.

01:00 Guest backgrounds: Joel White (Market Cap Consulting) and Ryan Gifford (CTI)

02:45 Market recovery and funding trends

05:15 Trial success: early collaboration and site relationships

08:15 Funding challenges and execution impacts

10:30 Reducing site burden through lab operations and logistics

14:15 Decentralized trials and patient experience

16:25 Regulatory shifts, AI, and growing data complexity

19:30 Future outlook: partnerships and global trial expansion

23:30 Key takeaways and rapid-fire insights