From Promise to Practice: Strategy, Funding, and Development Behind New Pediatric Cancer Therapies
A Quarterly Webinar Series Exploring How Research, Funding, and Collaboration Bring New Cancer Therapies to Children
The 2026 Pediatric Early Development Series (PEDS) is a quarterly webinar series focused on the real-world decisions, funding strategies, and execution challenges involved in bringing pediatric cancer therapies from discovery to patients. Designed for a broad audience, including researchers, funders, industry partners, advocates, and community stakeholders, the series offers a step-by-step look at how pediatric cancer drugs are developed and where critical decisions are made along the way. Across four 90-minute sessions, PEDS examines the scientific, regulatory, and financial factors that shape pediatric cancer drug development, featuring insights and examples from experts actively working to advance new therapies, and highlighting practical approaches to overcoming barriers so promising therapies can reach the children who need them most.
Upcoming Webinars
APRIL 23 - 12:00-1:30pm ET
The Starting Point:
Realities of Pediatric Cancer Drug Development—What’s Different and Why It Matters
This opening session sets the foundation for the entire series by examining why pediatric cancer drug development is uniquely challenging, and why progress often looks different than in adult oncology. The discussion will explore the scientific, regulatory, and ethical constraints that shape pediatric cancer drug development, along with the structural barriers that influence funding and execution. Through open, transparent conversations with experts directly involved in advancing pediatric cancer therapies, and grounded in concrete examples from the field, this session illustrates why alternative development and investment models are essential to moving breakthroughs forward for children.
Speakers
Elizabeth Fox, MD, MS
Senior Vice President, Clinical Trials Research
Associate Director for Clinical Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Michael C. Cox, PharmD, MHSc, BCOP
Nicole Drezner, MD
Deputy Division Director, Division of Oncology 2
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brenda Weigel, MD (Moderator)
Vice President, Clinical Research Industry Engagement
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
JUNE DATE AND TIME TBD
Capital, Risk, and Strategy:
Rethinking How Pediatric Cancer Drug Development is Funded to Move Therapies Forward
This session focuses on how pediatric cancer drug development is funded and why traditional biotech investment models often fall short in pediatrics. The discussion will examine a range of funding approaches, including foundation-led investment, public-private partnerships, and non-dilutive capital, highlighting how risk is assessed and shared across stakeholders. Drawing on concrete examples from organizations actively funding pediatric cancer research, the session will explore what effective investment looks like in this space and how thoughtful funding strategies can accelerate progress toward the clinic. Speakers will include leaders from foundations and strategic partners who are actively designing and deploying innovative funding models to advance pediatric cancer therapies.
Speakers Coming Soon
SEPTEMBER 21 - 12:30-2:00pm ET
From Lab to Clinic:
Turning Pediatric Cancer Research into Real Treatments for Children
This session focuses on how pediatric cancer therapies move from early research toward clinical trials, highlighting the translational steps and decision points that turn promising science into treatments for patients. Attendees will hear directly from CureSearch-funded investigators who have successfully advanced their work toward the clinic, sharing how years of research, collaboration, and targeted funding come together to make new treatment options possible for children. These real-world examples will illustrate the power of translational research funding, offering both a practical roadmap for researchers working to replicate success and a clear, accessible view of how scientific breakthroughs ultimately reach the children and families who depend on them.
Speakers
Crystal Mackall, MD
Ernest and Amelia Gallo Family Professor
Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine
Stanford University
Ranjit S. Bindra, MD, PhD
Harvey and Kate Cushing Professor of Therapeutic Radiology
Professor of Pathology
Yale University
Gregory K. Friedman, MD
Professor, Department of Pediatrics Patient Care
Mosbacher Pediatrics Chair
Section Chief, Department of Pediatrics
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Brenda Weigel, MD (Moderator)
Vice President, Clinical Research Industry Engagement
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
NOVEMBER DATE AND TIME TBD
What Comes Next:
Defining the Path Forward for Pediatric Cancer Drug Development
This concluding session looks ahead to the next phase of pediatric cancer drug development, building on the challenges, funding strategies, and translational pathways explored throughout the series. The discussion will examine what must change to accelerate progress, including evolving approaches to clinical trial design, the importance of co-funding and collaboration, and earlier integration of patient and advocate perspectives. Featuring insights from leaders across research, industry, and advocacy, this session connects lessons learned to actionable strategies for advancing new, more effective therapies for children. Together, this session—and the series as a whole—reinforces why coordinated effort across science, funding, and partnership is essential and highlights the shared responsibility of the pediatric cancer community to move promising therapies forward with urgency and intention.
