Moving Medicine Forward

In this episode, host Jeremy Schrand welcomes Jamie Glavic, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications & Community Engagement and Program Lead of CTI Cares, and Kirsten Wellige, Associate Director, Clinical Project Coordination and Global Chair of the EU CTI Cares Committee, to discuss CTI Cares, CTI’s global employee-driven program that brings company values to life through community engagement, volunteering, health and wellness initiatives, environmental efforts, and cultural celebrations. The conversation highlights inspiring stories, regional initiatives, and the program’s growth, including the launch of the Belonging Committee and plans for the year ahead.

00:48 – Guests Jamie Glavic and Kirsten Wellige introduced.

01:09 – CTI CARES overview: Connecting company values to global and local impact.

02:11 – Program history: Shift to regional leadership approach.

03:16 – Why community engagement matters at CTI.

04:38 – Employee benefits: Personal fulfillment and professional growth.

08:09 – 2025 highlights:

• North America: CancerFree Kids challenge, school partnerships.
• Europe: Master Chef competitions, blood drives, cleanups, Universal Children's Day.

11:26 – Regional flexibility and global sharing of ideas.

15:00 – Employee-driven activities and creative input.

18:55 – Program evolution: Belonging Committee and expanded APAC involvement.

20:38 – Hopes for next year: More global participation and new wellness initiatives.

22:34 – Closing remarks: CTI CARES as a vibrant, employee-powered community.

We are joined by two leaders from Aminex Therapeutics, Mark Burns, President & CSO, and Jeff Judson, VP of Strategic Planning & Investor Relations, to discuss the groundbreaking development of Aminex 1501, a novel cancer therapy that is transforming oncology. This conversation dives into the science behind this innovative therapy, its distinctive funding journey, the promising clinical trial results, and the collaboration with CTI. Listen now to explore the significance of FDA orphan drug designation and what it means for advancing innovative treatments for rare cancers. 

00:10 Aminex 1501 is introduced, along with its mission to fight cancer by removing essential growth factors from tumors, stimulating the immune system 

00:43 The drug’s effectiveness across a wide range of solid tumors, showcasing its tumor-agnostic approach 

01:11 Mark shares the origin of Aminex, highlighting its unique funding by angel investors outside biotech and the absence of venture capital 

02:01 Why they chose CTI as a partner: technical competence, responsiveness, and Midwest values 

03:18 How the therapy removes polyamines from tumors, leading to profound immune responses in animal models 

04:11 The team discusses receiving FDA orphan drug designation for neuroblastoma and ongoing pediatric trials at Penn State University 

05:15 Insights into the treatment of six rare childhood cancers, with a focus on improving quality of life and minimizing side effects 

05:56 Breast cancer and melanoma identified as promising indications for future focus, with neuroblastoma and others also in scope 

06:23 Recap of clinical trial progress and milestones  

07:19 Recognition of patients as heroes in advancing cancer therapeutics 

08:03 How the therapy trains the immune system to recognize and attack cancer 

08:57 The inspiration behind targeting polyamines and the development of DFMO and Aminex 1501 

10:00 Anecdotes about early animal studies, dramatic tumor shrinkage, and the motivation to continue research 

12:13 The team’s passion for improving patient outcomes and the importance of collaboration 

13:00 Information for patients interested in joining trials, with details on upcoming clinics and how to find more information on clinicaltrials.gov 

In this special year-end episode of Moving Medicine Forward, host Jeremy Schrand sits down with CTI’s founder and CEO Tim Schroeder and President & COO Jon Koch for an in-depth look at 2025. From strategic goals and operational breakthroughs to cultural pillars and global challenges, Tim and Jon share candid insights on what made this year transformative for CTI. They also discuss major clinical milestones, regulatory shifts, and the innovations shaping the future—including AI, patient-centric trial design, and advanced therapies. Whether you’re a team member, sponsor, or industry partner, this conversation offers a front-row seat to the trends and strategies driving the next era of clinical research.

00:36 Tim Schroeder and Jon Koch join for a candid discussion on CTI’s journey through 2025.

01:00 Strategic goals, clinical milestones, and cultural highlights that defined the year.

01:39 Tim reflects on CTI’s long-term vision, process improvements, and technology adoption.

02:58 Balancing analytics-driven growth with personal and professional development.

04:00 Jon shares key initiatives—integrating clinical, site, and lab capabilities; EMA’s adoption of ICH E6(R3).

05:33 Nearly 20 successful approvals over two years underscore CTI’s mission.

06:08 Navigating new clients, acquisitions, and global disruptions while maintaining quality.

07:17 How CTI adapted to FDA leadership changes and global health trends.

11:38 Care, persistence, and community engagement as defining traits of CTI’s global team.

14:34 Persistence and stability in an industry with high stakes and long timelines.

17:08 Priorities include ICH E6(R3) implementation, global expansion, and AI-driven innovation.

20:22 Building the strongest management team for CTI’s next quarter-century.

22:03 Tim and Jon share messages of thanks and confidence in the future of medicine.

25:15 CTI’s commitment to advancing medicine and fostering a culture of care and resilience.

Courtney Cordaro, Director and Therapeutic Strategy & Innovation Lead at CTI, discusses the rapidly changing landscape of hematology clinical research. She shares insights on operational excellence and innovation, demonstrating why adaptability and precision are key to success in hematology clinical trials. 

01:00 Courtney shares her background and passions. 

02:29 The growing need for rapid innovation in hematology trials. 

03:57 Unique challenges in hematology trials. 

05:17 The evolving role of project management. 

08:28 Strategies for maintaining compliance and data integrity. 

10:46 Differentiators in CTI’s hematology research.  

13:54 Future trends within the field. 

15:19 The five pillars of success. 

18:01 Advice for sponsors entering this space. 

Recorded live at American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Week 2025, this episode of Moving Medicine Forward features Courtney Cordaro, Director of Therapeutic Strategy at CTI, and Morgan Terry, Site Director at Eastern Nephrology Associates. Together, they discuss what drives a healthy and productive partnership between clinical research sites and CROs, the critical role of communication, and how both sides can adapt to the evolving landscape of nephrology trials.  

01:31 What defines a strong site-CRO relationship 

01:49 Key elements of a successful partnership 

02:32 The importance of consistency and communication in nephrology research 

03:33 How CRO staff changes affect timelines and site efficiency 

04:09 Common misconceptions CROs have about sites 

05:23 Behaviors and practices that show a CRO’s understanding and build trust 

06:31 How an effective CRO response can shape stronger partnerships 

07:35 Why minimal turnover and familiarity with site processes are key to building long-term trust 

09:05 Adapting to decentralized trials by leveraging strategies for remote monitoring and precision medicine 

10:37 Highlighting collaboration and adaptability as keys to success 

In this inspiring episode of Moving Medicine Forward,Amanda King, Senior Clinical Scientist at CTI, discusses her remarkable journey from pediatric ICU nurse practitioner to leading-edge oncology researcher. Amanda shares how personal loss fueled her passion for patient-centered careand clinical research, and how her work at the NIH and CTI is shaping the future of medicine. From the complexities of oncology trials to the emotional weight of working with vulnerable patients, Amanda offers a candid look at thechallenges and triumphs of advancing therapeutic options. Whether you're in healthcare or simply curious about the human stories behind medical innovation, this episode is a must-listen.

00:30 Meet Amanda King: her background and passionfor patient-centered care.

01:07 Amanda’s clinical roots in pediatric ICU andtransition to research.

02:00 Pursuing a PhD and discovering a love forclinical trials at the NIH.

02:34 The motivation behind Amanda’s shift toclinical research.

03:34 Why Amanda joined CTI and what drew her toindustry research.

05:10 Amanda’s role as a Senior Clinical Scientistand her impact on trial safety.

06:35 Deep dive into Amanda’s work at the NIH and theimportance of patient outcomes data.

09:21 Challenges in oncology trials: balancingsafety, complexity, and emotional toll.

11:39 The rewards of working in oncology and Amanda’spersonal connection to cancer research.

13:08 Advice for young people interested in clinicalresearch and the importance of mentorship.

15:14 Amanda’s vision for the future of medicine:innovation meets compassion.

16:10 Closing thoughts and how to stay connected withCTI.

Joel White, Owner of Marketcap Consulting, joins another episode to discuss the evolving role of Clinical Research Organizations (CROs). He shares the characteristics of a great CRO, how technology and decentralization are shaping the industry, and the strategic balance between speed, quality, and cost in clinical trials. Whether you're a sponsor, CRO professional, or simply curious about the clinical trial landscape, this episode offers practical wisdom and forward-looking perspectives on drug development and innovation. 

00:31 Joel White returns to explore CRO excellence and innovation  

01:00 Joel’s background and journey into the CRO industry  

01:55 Origins of Joel’s LinkedIn quarterly recaps and their impact  

04:10 Defining CROs and their evolving role in clinical trials  

05:48 What separates great CROs from average ones, such as customer service and repeat business  

08:59 Technology’s role in CRO operations and vendor management  

11:29 Balancing speed, quality, and cost in fast-paced trials  

12:45 The importance of culture and leadership in CRO success  

13:57 Common misconceptions sponsors have about CROs  

16:45 Decentralization in clinical trials, including adoption trends and cost tradeoffs  

19:05 Evaluating therapeutic area expertise when selecting a CRO  

20:46 The future of CROs, consisting of innovation, partnerships, and the potential impact of AI

Chuck Scheper, Board Chair at Bexion Pharmaceuticals, shares how a stage IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis at age 39 and a life-saving clinical trial led to his lifelong commitment to cancer research. He joins Tim Schroeder, CEO and Chairman of CTI, to discuss the founding of VaxCella, the evolution of cancer therapies, the importance of patient-centered research, and the role of collaboration in advancing drug development, highlighting resilience, innovation, and the impact of clinical trials. 

In this episode, host Jeremy Schrand is joined by Tim Schroeder, Chairman, CEO, and Founder of CTI, and Joel White, Owner of Marketcap Consulting, for a broad discussion on the clinical research industry. Topics include recent industry developments, biotech funding challenges, leadership in clinical trials, corporate citizenship, and predictions for future innovation.

01:20 Tim shares insights on the current state ofthe clinical research industry, highlighting recent developments and a view toward stability and cautious optimism.

02:36 Joe discusses macro trends shaping the clinical research landscape, focusing on biotech funding challenges and the impact on the industry.

04:05 The conversation shifts to the pharma services sector, with Joe reflecting on the changing number of public companies and the influence of major investment firms.

06:53 The conversation explores industry cancellation rates and repeat business, leading to a discussion on measurement differences and the challenges of consistent reporting.

08:08 The role of leadership in navigating today's complex clinical trial environment is explored, emphasizing vision, talent retention, and cultural impact.

13:08 Tim and Joel discuss corporate citizenship, leading to reflections on CTI’s evolution, community involvement, and the importance of sustainability.

21:01 Exploring the potential influence of major retail companies on the clinical trial ecosphere, the conversation considers their resources and the challenges they face within the industry.

22:34 Tim addresses therapeutic areas with recent surges in activity or innovation, prompting a discussion on oncology,neurodegeneration, and GLP therapies.

29:00 Bold predictions shape the future of the clinical research industry, with forecasts pointing to a recovery in biotech funding and shifts in FDA approval processes.

In this special episode, host Jeremy Schrand sits down with Jill Brinck, Executive Director of CancerFree KIDS, and Dr. Genevieve Kendall, a CancerFree KIDS grant recipient and pediatric cancer researcher at Baylor College of Medicine. 

Together, they explore the power of early-stage research funding, the challenges and breakthroughs in treating childhood cancers, and the inspiring mission behind CancerFree KIDS. Dr. Kendall shares insights into her lab’s work on fusion-driven rhabdomyosarcoma and how innovative models like transgenic zebrafish are helping uncover new therapeutic targets. 

Whether you're a parent, a scientist, or someone passionate about making a difference, this episode offers a compelling look at how collaboration and curiosity are driving real change in pediatric oncology. 

Learn more - CancerFree KIDS home page 

Learn more about Dr Kendall’s research - Kendall Lab | Nationwide Children's Hospital 

Learn more about CTI - CTI - CRO Specializing In Clinical Research And Consulting 

02:03 Jill Brink shares her personal and professional journey that led her to become Executive Director of CancerFree KIDS.  

04:02 Why funding early-stage, high-risk research is essential for pediatric cancer, highlighting the lack of profitability and federal support in this space. 

05:46 Securing funding for early-stage research presents major challenges, including the need for collaboration between scientists and business leaders.  

07:06 How CancerFree KIDS selects research projects, outlining the role of their Scientific Advisory Council and the grant scoring process. 

09:26 Success stories driven by CancerFree KIDS funding, including early support for clinical trials and advancements in flash proton therapy. 

11:22 Dr. Genevieve Kendall explains the nature of fusion-driven rhabdomyosarcoma and why its aggressive behavior and lack of targeted therapies make it difficult to treat. 

13:51 How the CancerFree KIDS grant supported a new partnership and provided seed funding to test a promising research idea. 

14:50 The significance of identifying HAS3 as a novel target and how it opens new possibilities for treating rhabdomyosarcoma. 

16:35 Dr. Kendall describes the role of transgenic zebrafish in her research and how they help uncover therapeutic targets through comparative oncology. 

19:33 Both guests share what excites them most about the future of pediatric cancer research, including innovations in CRISPR and immunotherapy. 

22:32 How CancerFree KIDS measures the long-term impact of its grants, citing follow-up funding, startup companies, and FDA projects. 

24:19 Jill highlights impactful partnerships and community initiatives, such as Jersey Mike’s Day of Giving and the 100-Mile Challenge. 

26:15 Details about the 100-Mile Challenge, including its structure and supporting events throughout September. 

27:51 How CancerFree KIDS engages with families affected by cancer, ranging from support programs to events that honor children and their journeys. 

29:51 The future direction of CancerFree KIDS, including expansion, collaboration, and advocacy efforts with the state of Ohio.