Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology

What Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology does

The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is a non-profit, NCI-sponsored cooperative group that designs and runs multicenter cancer clinical trials across the United States and Canada. It was formed in 2012 through the merger of three legacy cooperative groups (CALGB, NCCTG, ACOSOG) and traces its collective trial experience to 1956. The Alliance operates as a member of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), engaging nearly 10,000 cancer specialists at over 1,000 hospitals, medical centers, and community clinics. Its primary sponsor is the National Cancer Institute, with secondary funding flowing through Alliance Foundation Trials (AFT) from pharmaceutical collaborators and PCORI.

The organization runs Phase I through Phase III trials across all major cancer types (breast, GI, GU, neuro-oncology, respiratory, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, cancer control). Its technology stack centers on a clinical trial management infrastructure augmented by two digital assets: the Participant Engagement Portal (PEP), a communication tool piloted with 899 of 2,221 enrolled participants in the NCI Multi-Cancer Early Detection Biobank Study, and A-STOR, a HIPAA-compliant genomic data repository for multi-omic data with controlled investigator access worldwide. Precision medicine programs include ComboMATCH and myeloMATCH. Alliance-led trials have produced multiple FDA approvals, including cabozantinib for neuroendocrine tumors (CABINET) and the recent FDA acceptance of atezolizumab for stage III dMMR colon cancer based on the ATOMIC trial.

The Alliance operates from offices in Chicago (Operations Center), Boston (housing AFT and the Alliance Data Innovation Lab), Rochester (Statistics and Data Center at Mayo Clinic), and Durham. Its go-to-market is institutional rather than commercial: member institutions participate as collaborators, pharmaceutical and diagnostics partners (Genentech, Pfizer, Guardant Health, Foundation Medicine, Natera, Labcorp) co-fund and supply technology for trials, and the NCI provides the core grant funding. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Group Chair Dr. Evanthia Galanis (six-year term from November 2023), with COO Kimberly F. Kerstann appointed November 2024.

Name

Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology

Legal name

Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology

Website

https://allianceforclinicaltrialsinoncology.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is an NCI-sponsored non-profit cooperative group that designs and runs multicenter Phase I–III cancer clinical trials across more than 1,000 US and Canadian member institutions, serving cancer patients, member hospitals, pharmaceutical partners, and the National Cancer Institute.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oncology Clinical Trials Network

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Medical Laboratories (621511)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Medical Oncology (HLAKAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Clinical Research & Trial Central Laboratories (HLAFAMAL), Clinical Research Support (CRC/CTA) (EDAOAJAO)

Keywords

• Clinical trials network
• Cancer research services
• Oncology clinical trials
• Precision medicine trials
• Translational research

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. NCI Grant Funding: The Alliance is primarily funded through a grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a member of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). This provides the core operational funding for clinical trial infrastructure.
2. Pharmaceutical Company Collaborations: Alliance Foundation Trials LLC (AFT) conducts trials funded by pharmaceutical company collaborators, including companies like Genentech, Pfizer, and others. Current AFT studies are funded by pharmaceutical collaborators and PCORI.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology designs, conducts, and manages multi-center oncology clinical trials across all major cancer types as a member of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). It offers protocol development, biostatistics, data management, regulatory support, and digital participant engagement through its own infrastructure and a network of more than 1,000 member institutions staffed by nearly 10,000 cancer specialists across the U.S. and Canada.

Product overview

The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is a clinical trials network sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) operating within the NCTN (National Clinical Trials Network). The organization offers a unified platform for cancer clinical research, with its core product being the Alliance Clinical Trials conducted through NCTN, providing access to nearly 10,000 cancer specialists at over 1,000 institutions. The portfolio includes Alliance Foundation Trials (AFT) for non-NCI funded studies, the Participant Engagement Portal (PEP) for patient communication, A-STOR for genomic data management, and precision medicine initiatives including ComboMATCH and myeloMATCH. Notable trials include PROSPECT-Lung, ATOMIC trial for dMMR colon cancer, and various phase II/III studies across cancer types. The organization has a distributed structure with offices in Chicago, Boston, and Rochester (Mayo Clinic SDMC).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Alliance Clinical Trials (NCTN) The Alliance's core clinical trials program conducted through the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), providing patients access to state-of-the-art scientific resources via a network of nearly 10,000 cancer specialists at hospitals, medical centers, and community clinics across the U.S. and Canada. Includes Phase I–III trials across breast, GI, GU, neuro-oncology, respiratory, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and cancer control.
• Alliance Foundation Trials (AFT) A research organization that develops and conducts cancer clinical trials working with Alliance scientific investigators and the institutional member network, funded by pharmaceutical company collaborators and PCORI. Current AFT studies include PATINA, CABINET, AMBASSADOR, and others, providing industry sponsors access to the Alliance investigator base.
• A-STOR (Alliance Standardized Translational 'Omics Resource) A secure, HIPAA-compliant genomic data repository providing standardized computational processing of sequencing data after primary clinical endpoint reporting. Provides stable, secure storage for multi-omic data (DNAseq, RNAseq, SNP/GWAS), approved clinical data, and enables controlled access to approved investigators worldwide.
• ComboMATCH A large precision medicine initiative with coordinated clinical trials evaluating new anti-cancer drug combinations in select groups of adults and children with cancer. Each trial studies effectiveness of specific drug combinations in patients with targeted tumor gene abnormalities.
• myeloMATCH Precision medicine clinical trials for people with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Consists of an initial screening study and multiple treatment trials organized into four tiers based on treatment stage.
• PROSPECT-Lung Trial A Phase III trial evaluating perioperative versus adjuvant systemic therapy in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer. The first study from NCI's Clinical Trials Innovation Unit (CTIU), designed to determine optimal timing of immunotherapy relative to surgery. Plans to enroll 1,100 patients across multiple U.S. sites.
• ATOMIC Trial (A021502) Phase III multicenter trial evaluating atezolizumab (Tecentriq) plus chemotherapy as adjuvant treatment for stage III dMMR colon cancer. Involved 712 patients in the U.S. and Germany, led by Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. Results demonstrated 50% reduction in recurrence/death risk and 86% vs 76% disease-free survival at 36 months, supporting FDA priority review.
• CABINET Trial (A021602) Alliance trial (A021602) that led to FDA approval of cabozantinib for the treatment of patients with previously treated advanced neuroendocrine tumors, demonstrating statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival.
• Participant Engagement Portal (PEP) A digital tool developed by the Alliance to improve communication between cancer researchers and clinical trial participants, enabling direct connection and fostering patient engagement throughout clinical trials. Tested in the NCI-sponsored Multi-Cancer Early Detection Biobank Study with 84% positive user experience, 96% ease of access, and 93% agreeing to future research contact.
• Semi-Annual Group Meetings Spring and fall meetings open to all Alliance members and industry representatives featuring educational sessions, plenary sessions, and networking to foster collaboration and share research accomplishments.

Quantifiable outcome

• ATOMIC trial: atezolizumab plus chemotherapy reduced recurrence/death risk by 50% in stage III dMMR colon cancer
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• LabcorpcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Labcorp collaborates with Alliance on nationwide colorectal cancer genetics trial and DPYD genotyping test. Labcorp serves as exclusive genetic testing provider using its Invitae platform across trial sites in the US including Puerto Rico.
• National Cancer Institute (NCI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026NCI-sponsored study to expand access to genetic testing among patients newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer and their at-risk family members. Trial assesses whether direct outreach by healthcare providers can improve participation in cascade genetic testing.
• Foundation MedicinemajorTechnology or Integration · 10 March 2026Foundation Medicine expanded participation in NCI's ComboMATCH platform trials through inclusion of its FoundationOne Liquid CDx blood-based biomarker test, complementing its existing tissue-based test FoundationOne CDx.
• SWOG Cancer Research NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2024Alliance co-leads the PROSPECT-Lung trial with SWOG - the first trial to open through NCI's Clinical Trials Innovation Unit (CTIU). Joint development of large multicenter trials.
• NateramajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Alliance and Natera announced activation of Alliance A032103 (MODERN) trial - a randomized Phase II/III adjuvant trial in urothelial cancer. Natera provides cell-free DNA testing technology.
• National Cancer Institute (NCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCI sponsors the Alliance through a grant as a member of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). NCI sponsors major trials including ATOMIC, PROSPECT-Lung, and others. The Alliance Statistics and Data Center is located at Mayo Clinic.
• Genentech (Roche)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance partnered with Genentech on the Phase III ATOMIC trial for atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in stage III dMMR colon cancer. Results supported FDA priority review and supplemental Biologics License Application acceptance.
• Alliance Foundation Trials LLC (AFT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFT is a research organization that develops and conducts cancer clinical trials working closely with Alliance investigators. AFT collaborates with pharmaceutical companies and PCORI for funding. Boston-based entity.
• Guardant HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuardant Health collaborated with Mayo Clinic and Alliance on large-scale ctDNA study using Guardant Reveal blood test for stage III colon cancer recurrence prediction.
• The Ohio State University (OSU)majorTechnology or IntegrationOSU collaborates on A-STOR (Alliance Standardized Translational 'Omics Resource) with Daniel Stover serving as A-STOR Co-Chair, contributing translational bioinformatics expertise.
• University of North Carolina (UNC)majorTechnology or IntegrationUNC collaborates on A-STOR with Benjamin Vincent serving as Translational Bioinformatics Chair, contributing expertise in data harmonization and accessibility.
• Mayo CliniccoreTechnology or IntegrationMayo Clinic houses the Alliance Statistics and Data Center (SDMC) in Rochester, MN. Provides statistical expertise, data management, and computational genomics support through Ann Oberg and team.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Guardant Health: Liquid biopsy company providing Guardant Reveal ctDNA testing. Collaborated with Alliance and Mayo Clinic on the large-scale ctDNA study for stage III colon cancer recurrence prediction, positioning it as an emerging precision diagnostics partner comparable to Alliance's translational focus.
• Foundation Medicine: Molecular diagnostics company providing FoundationOne CDx tissue and FoundationOne Liquid CDx blood-based biomarker tests. Partners with Alliance on ComboMATCH precision medicine trials, making it a strategic emerging player in biomarker-driven oncology research.

Direct peers

• NRG Oncology: NCI-sponsored NCTN cooperative group formed from the merger of NSABP, RTOG, and GOG. Conducts oncology clinical trials across multiple cancer types and competes with Alliance for member institutions and federal funding.
• Children's Oncology Group: NCI-sponsored NCTN cooperative group focused exclusively on pediatric and adolescent cancer trials. Shares the same NCI NCTN funding model and structure as Alliance, with overlapping governance and member institutions.
• SWOG Cancer Research Network: Another NCI-sponsored NCTN cooperative group conducting multi-site oncology clinical trials. SWOG and Alliance jointly lead the PROSPECT-Lung trial and compete directly for NCI grant funding, member institutions, and pharma trial collaborations.
• ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group: NCI-sponsored NCTN cooperative group focused on cancer clinical trials across adult cancers. Competes directly with Alliance for NCTN designation, NCI funding, member sites, and pharmaceutical trial partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Medpace: Mid-to-large CRO with significant oncology clinical trial execution capabilities. Competes with Alliance Foundation Trials (AFT) for pharmaceutical-sponsored trial work and provides comparable full-service clinical research operations.
• Cancer Research UK: Largest cancer research charity in the UK funding clinical trials and translational research. While geographically focused on the UK, it operates a similar model of funding and coordinating multi-institutional oncology trials, making it a comparable broad incumbent.
• IQVIA: Largest global contract research organization (CRO) providing clinical trial execution services. IQVIA competes with Alliance for pharma-sponsored oncology trials and offers similar protocol development, data management, and site coordination capabilities at commercial scale.
• PPD (Thermo Fisher Scientific): Major CRO now owned by Thermo Fisher Scientific, providing oncology clinical trial services globally. Competes for pharma-sponsored trial work and offers overlapping biostatistics, data management, and central laboratory capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ALLIANCE_org
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TheAllianceTraining
• Facebookfacebook.com/AllianceForClinicalTrialsInOncology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-alliance-for-clinical-trials-in-oncology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology