Sarah Cannon Announces Opening of Oncology Drug Development Unit in Collaboration with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute and The University of Central Florida in Lake Nona

Sarah Cannon recently opened its newest drug development unit (DDU) in collaboration with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute and The University of Central Florida College of Medicine (UCF) in Lake Nona, Fla. The unit, located in the Sarah Cannon | UCF Lake Nona Cancer Center, is led by Cesar Augusto Perez, MD, a recognized expert in Phase 1 oncology research. The first of its kind in Lake Nona, the DDU focuses exclusively on oncology clinical trials at the earliest phases of research and was designed to meet the specialized needs of patients seeking advanced cancer treatment options. The first patient was treated on a clinical trial at the new unit earlier this month.

“Lake Nona is known for building a community of collaborators, and by working together with our colleagues at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute and UCF – we are proud to open a drug development program that is offering greater access to novel therapies that are essential to advancing science and transforming cancer care for patients,” said Howard A. “Skip” Burris, III, MD, President of Clinical Operations and Chief Medical Officer, Sarah Cannon. “Dr. Perez has dedicated his career to translational oncology research and we are looking forward to his leadership over this new program.”

Cesar Perez, MD most recently served as an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Miami where he also was one of the leaders for Phase 1 oncology clinical research. He was previously an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Louisville, where he received the Best Faculty Teacher Award in 2015 and 2017. After completing a hematology and oncology fellowship at the University of Miami, Dr. Perez received the Peter A. Cassileth, MD Award as an outstanding fellow, and served as Chief Fellow.

“It is an honor to join Florida Cancer Specialists and lead Sarah Cannon’s newest drug development program in Lake Nona so that we can advance therapies for patients who vitally need them,” said Dr. Perez. “By having our unit aligned to Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute's medical oncology practice and located in UCF’s center focused on delivering cutting-edge offerings, we are offering a more comprehensive care experience.”

As Director of Drug Development for Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute – Lake Nona, Dr. Perez works with a team that includes Sarah Canon and FCS research nurses, pharmacists, and patient support members that provide patients with access to the latest research and compassionate care without needing to travel far from home.

“Over the last two decades, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute has partnered with Sarah Cannon to bring new treatment options to patients facing cancer throughout the state,” said Lucio Gordan, MD, President & Managing Physician, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute. “The DDU, which is co-located with one of our newest medical oncology practices, ensures patients can access specialized oncology care in a purposefully-designed space that brings together essential oncology services under one roof.”

Located on the Sarah Cannon | UCF Lake Nona Cancer Center campus, the new 10,000 square-foot Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute drug development unit is a part of a new treatment facility, which combines medical oncology services and Phase 1 clinical trial options for cancer patients in one convenient location, 6400 Sanger Road, Suite A-2400, Orlando, Florida 32827. Radiation oncology will also be offered at this location later this year in collaboration with Sarah Cannon and HCA Healthcare’s UCF Lake Nona Medical Center. Additionally, departments for the UCF College of Medicine and HCA Healthcare Center for Clinical Advancement are located within the center.

“The UCF College of Medicine welcomes partnership with Sarah Cannon and Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute as new members of Lake Nona’s growing health and life sciences cluster,” said Deborah German, MD, Founding Dean and VP for Health Affairs at the UCF College of Medicine. “By partnering with Sarah Cannon and Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, we are able to make greater strides for people facing cancer from the bench to the bedside.”

Currently, Sarah Cannon and Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute offer clinical trials through more than 36 locations in the state, including existing drug development programs in Sarasota and Lake Mary. All three units will work closely to increase early phase trial options for patients.