ASCO sets the scientific direction for oncology drug development, but the real challenge for sponsors is translating those insights into development strategy and execution. As protocols grow more complex, competition intensifies, and timelines compress, delays are increasingly driven not by science but by how programs are operationalized. This webinar explores how oncology teams can turn ASCO 2026 insights into practical trial development and execution strategies.
In this post‑ASCO insights webinar, oncology leaders will explore the conference’s most relevant themes and discuss what they mean beyond the data. The session will connect emerging scientific directions, such as novel modalities, biomarker‑driven approaches and the growing role of AI, to the practical realities of planning and running oncology trials.
The discussion will focus on how scientific complexity influences trial design decisions, operational planning and execution across global studies. Topics will include managing protocol and cohort complexity, aligning clinical and operational teams around decision‑critical endpoints and navigating oversight, safety review, vendors, logistics and data flows as programs scale. Site strategy and activation will be addressed as one element of a broader execution framework, rather than as a standalone focus.
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to turn ASCO insights into actionable execution choices, helping oncology programs move forward with speed, rigor and confidence as they progress through development.
Register for this webinar to learn how ASCO 2026 insights can inform oncology trial development and execution strategies.
Speakers
Andrew Zupnick, PhD, Vice President, Oncology Drug Development
Andrew Zupnick, PhD, has more than 25 years of experience focused exclusively on oncology. As Vice President of Oncology Drug Development for Worldwide, he supports study optimization, delivery oversight, training and the development of new initiatives across commercial and operational teams to ensure Worldwide remains at the forefront of industry trends and emerging oncology therapies.
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Heidi Gillenwater, MD
Heidi H. Gillenwater, MD, is a Medical Oncologist with a unique blend of 10 years of clinical and 18 years of industry experience in oncology drug development. Her perspective and contributions led to approvals and label expansions for Kyprolis and Breyanzi.
Dr. Gillenwater has a proven track record of leadership, having held key positions at BioNTech, Lyell Immunopharma and Juno/BMS. Her leadership was instrumental in developing cell and gene therapy programs at these organizations. Her work at Onyx Pharmaceuticals, where she led a global randomized trial in multiple myeloma, resulted in a label expansion of Kyprolis for that indication. She began her career in academics, focused on the clinical care of patients and the development of clinical trials for patients with thoracic malignancies.
Dr. Gillenwater received her BS in Biomedical Sciences from Montana State University and her MD from the University of Washington.
Message Presenter
Elise Horvath Walsh, MD, VP, Clinical Development, Kumquat Bioscience
Dr. Elise Horvath Walsh is Vice President of Clinical Development at Kumquat Bioscience and a board-certified Hematologist-Oncologist with over 20 years of experience in Medical Hematology-Oncology, including 14 years solely dedicated to clinical research. At Kumquat, she is the Medical Lead for three novel products and multiple trials. During her time at Karyopharm, she was the Medical Lead for Selinexor in uterine cancer. At Mirati, she was Head of the Medical Safety department and responsible for all Mirati compounds in stages of development. In addition, she was Executive Medical Director in Clinical Development at Mirati, responsible for multiple trials with Adagrasib. During her two-plus years at IQVIA Biotech, she was a Senior Medical Director in Oncology. Dr. Walsh served as a Program Medic and provided medical oversight for sponsors regarding their compound. She became a Certified Trainer and was made a Supervisor for oncology medical just prior to her departure.
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Prior to that, she was at Astellas Pharma, where she served as the Medical Director and Medical Lead for the AML compound gilteritinib (Xospata), leading up to the US product launch. Dr. Horvath Walsh is also experienced in NCI-funded research and worked for Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, serving as the Executive Officer. In this capacity, she was responsible for the scientific portfolio of multiple disease and therapeutic committees and pharmacovigilance for all trials and INDs conducted by the organization. Her clinical career was at academic institutions, with a special focus on gynecologic malignancies, sarcomas and myeloproliferative diseases, and a member of multidisciplinary clinics in breast, lung and GI oncology. She lives in San Diego County.
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Victor Moreno, MD, PhD, Director, Clinical Research
Victor Moreno, MD, PhD, is the Director of Clinical Research at START Madrid-FJD. He obtained this Medical Degree from the University Complutense of Madrid in 2004 and completed his specialized formation in Medical Oncology at Hospital Universitario La Paz from 2005 to 2009. During 2008-2010, he obtained his Master’s Degree in Molecular Oncology from the CNIO (Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid). He obtained his PhD, with European Mention and highest commendation, in 2013 for his translational research in rectal cancer.
Dr. Moreno obtained the Excellent Resident Grant, which was awarded to complete his training in Phase I oncology clinical trials in the Drug Development Unit of the Royal Marsden Hospital (Sutton, UK) during 2010-2011.
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After the completion of his Fellowship, he returned to a Consultant position for Medical Oncology at the Hospital Universitario La Paz, where he was a Member of the Neuro-Oncology and Gastrointestinal Tumors section and Coordinator of the Oncology Phase I Unit. In 2013, he joined the START program at the new center START Madrid-Fundación Jiménez Díaz (FJD) as a Clinical Researcher, dedicated exclusively to early-phase clinical trials and drug development, with a special focus on targeted therapies, cancer immunotherapy and adoptive cell therapy.
Dr. Moreno has been a recipient of several awards and grants, including the 2011 ASCO Merit Award and Grant in 2011 for the 13th Joint ECCO – AACR – EORTC – ESMO Workshop on “Methods in Clinical Cancer Research” and is a Member of the Executive Committee of the +MIR group in the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM). He has co-authored more than 40 scientific papers published in the most relevant medical journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Clinical Cancer Research and Nature.
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Who Should Attend?
This webinar will appeal to:
- CEOs/COOs
- VP Clinical Development
- Director Clinical Development
- Director of Clinical Operations
- Chief Medical Officer
- Clinical Development Consultant
What You Will Learn
Attendees will gain insight into:
- Navigating from data to decisions: How translating ASCO scientific insights into development action depends on early operational planning, not data alone
- Managing complexity in modern oncology trials: How biomarker strategies, novel modalities and multi‑cohort designs introduce execution risk that must be addressed upfront
- Designing with feasibility in mind: How aligning clinical ambition with operational realities early can reduce amendments, delays and downstream friction
- Sustaining execution as studies progress: How managing oversight, data flows, vendor coordination and site operations becomes increasingly critical as oncology trials advance
Xtalks Partner
Worldwide Clinical Trials
Worldwide Flex is a trusted functional service provider (FSP) and resourcing partner for clinical trials. We deliver best-in-class functional outsourcing services through a variety of models. Whether delivering one function or many, a specialized resource or a tailored team, Worldwide Flex does more than fill a functional need for you. With expertise spanning clinical operations, data management, biostatistics and programming, safety, and medical writing, our clinical research professionals bring added value at every stage.
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