The agreement establishes a partnership structure to connect investigators, broaden access to clinical trial infrastructure, and support the development of impactful research studies.

SAN CARLOS, Calif. and MELBOURNE, Australia, September 21, 2026 — The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI), a U.S.-based nonprofit advancing investigator-initiated clinical trials, and Southern Clinical Development Consulting (Southern CDC), a drug development service provider, today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic collaboration framework for clinical trial development, investigator engagement, and research site access.

The MoU will create new opportunities for collaboration between ALCMI’s established oncology research consortium and Southern CDC’s drug development capabilities. Through the MoU, the organizations will explore ways to support investigator-initiated studies, connect researchers across trans-Pacific geographies, and expand access to experienced clinical trial sites and operational expertise.

"ALCMI has always believed that the best science happens when the right people join forces,” said Richard Erwin, ALCMI’s COO and Executive Director. “Southern CDC has built a nimble, highly capable drug development service with a genuine commitment to putting sponsors and investigators first. This MoU is about opening doors for researchers who need world-class operational support, and for sponsors who need access to the depth of talent and sites that ALCMI's consortium represents. We see enormous potential in what we can build together."

Founded in 2008, ALCMI leads a consortium of 25 of the world’s premier oncology research institutions in the United States and internationally. The organization provides funding strategies, staffing, and end-to-end operational management of investigator-initiated clinical trials to advance therapeutics, diagnostics, early detection, and understanding of cancer risk factors and resistance mechanisms.

Southern CDC supports drug development in oncology, immunology, neurology, ophthalmology, infectious diseases, endocrinology, pediatrics, and cardiovascular disease. Its model emphasizes sponsor control, flexible support, and efficient trial execution.

Under the MoU, ALCMI and Southern CDC will explore collaboration in several areas, including:

• Facilitating introductions among investigators, research institutions, and clinical development teams across both organizations’ networks.
• Exploring opportunities to connect Southern CDC-supported sponsors and studies with qualified research sites within ALCMI’s network.
• Identifying ways to combine Southern CDC’s clinical development experience with ALCMI’s site management and research infrastructure.
• Evaluating opportunities for coordinated support of investigator-initiated clinical trials aligned with both organizations’ expertise and missions.

"Sponsors running first-in-human studies in Australia keep telling us the same thing. They want a route into the U.S. that doesn't mean handing their program to a team that doesn't know it. This MoU with ALCMI provides them with access to two decades of U.S. oncology investigator relationships, without giving up control of their study,” said Dr. Ardian Latifi, CEO of Southern Clinical Development Consulting. “ALCMI has spent nearly two decades building trusted relationships with leading oncology researchers and institutions. We see this MoU as an opportunity to combine complementary strengths and support high-quality investigator-initiated trials across international research networks.”

This collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to supporting investigators and sponsors in a complex clinical research environment. By establishing a formal framework, ALCMI and Southern CDC aim to streamline access to relationships, infrastructure, and operational support for promising studies from concept to execution.

About ALCMI

The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI) is a nonprofit international consortium comprised of 25 of the world’s premier oncology research institutions. The organization partners with the top minds from the most respected medical facilities, providing financial support and access to a team of experts and staff to assist in launching and managing investigator-initiated clinical trials. The nonprofit bridges the gap between clinical research organizations (CROs) and site management organizations (SMOs), resulting in a streamlined, agile process for quickly funding and initiating research projects. For more information, visit alcmi.org.

About Southern CDC

Southern CDC is a leading clinical development service provider, supporting drug development from pre-clinical stages to late-phase trials. With a focus on oncology, ophthalmology, immunology, and neurology, Southern CDC delivers strategic consultancy and operational support to sponsors, enabling efficient trial execution and patient-centered care. Learn more at southerncdc.com.