In our sixth episode, we share the story of C-Further, a collaboration between Cancer Research Horizons and LifeArc focused on creating more effective, targeted medicines for children and young people with cancer. We are joined by Curtis Asante from LifeArc and our very own Matt Ashenden for a discussion about how C-further is planning to develop more effective and kinder medicines for children and young people with cancer, why we need partnerships to achieve this ambitious goal and what it’s like to manage such a complex partnership.

Appearing in this episode:

Curtis Asante, Alliance Manager, LifeArc

Curtis is the Alliance Manager for childhood cancer at LifeArc where he provides an alliance management framework to ensure strategic alliances like C-Further meet their contractual obligations and strategic goals as well as maintain healthy, equitable and productive relationships. Prior to joining LifeArc, Curtis held several roles covering editorial, project and programme management, as well as stakeholder engagement at Nature Communications, UKRI’s UK Regenerative Medicine Platform, Cancer Research UK and the Microbiology Society.

Matthew Ashenden, Therapeutic Discovery Programme Executive (Children’s & Young People’s Cancer), Cancer Research Horizons

Matt moved to Cancer Research Horizons in 2023 to coordinate the launch of C-Further. In addition to his role as alliance manager for the founding partnership with LifeArc, he is responsible for day-to-day operations and the governance structures within the consortium.

Matt has a background in cancer biology and holds a PhD from the Institute of Cancer Research, London. In 2015 he joined Cancer Research UK, holding roles across its funding teams including discovery research and centres and institutes. During this time, he led on several strategic initiatives, including the launch the Charity’s radiotherapy research network (RadNet) in 2019.

Host: Carina Santos, Strategic Alliance Executive, Cancer Research Horizons.

Useful links:

Cancer Research Horizons – our partnerships

C-Further

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