USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
An NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center
ACCELERATING PROMISING ONCOLOGY THERAPEUTICS INTO THE CLINIC THROUGH COLLABORATIVE DRUG DEVELOPMENT
About the CCDD at USC Norris
Established in 2020 with a generous gift from the Rosalie and Harold Rae Brown Foundation, the Rosalie and Harold Rae Brown Center for Cancer Drug Development (Brown Center) is committed to accelerating the advancement of innovative oncology therapeutics into the clinic through collaborative drug development. The Brown Center employs an integrated academic-industry management model to engage investigators across disciplines, bridge gaps in expertise, resources, and funding, and maximize the likelihood of program success.
For USC Norris Cancer Center Members
Our goal is to accelerate your research and transform it into innovative therapies that benefit patients. Contact us today to learn more about the Brown Center program and how to apply for project support.
How to Submit a Project to CCDD
Please contact Melissa Rodgers from the USC MESH Strategic Partnerships team to learn more.
For Industry
We collaborate with industry to accelerate the development of breakthrough cancer therapies. Partner with us to access cutting-edge research, co-create partnering strategies and streamlined paths to commercialization.
Ready to explore partnership opportunities? Please contact Vasiliki Anest, Business Director, Rosalie and Harold Rae Brown Center for Cancer Drug Development.
Caryn Lerman, PhD
Director, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Associate Dean for Cancer Programs
H. Leslie and Elaine S. Hoffman Chair in Cancer Research
“This gift will have an immediate impact by transforming USC Norris discoveries of the underlying causes of cancer and disease progression into new treatments and clinical trials for our patients.”
CCDD Scope
CCDD Goals
- Identify high potential projects and support the development of oncology therapeutics through strategic alliances with expert drug development partners.
- Leverage expertise across USC and enable access to existing core facilities to support drug discovery activities.
- Provide specialized concierge service through the MESH Strategic Partnerships team to support USC researchers and external partners that will:
- Grow a community of innovative drug developers.
- Build and manage relationships and strategic alliances with industry and venture capital.
- Formulate partnering strategies that will de-risk projects and accelerate path to patients.
- Provide one-on-one project consultation and training focused on the science and business considerations unique to drug development.
Internal Advisory Committee
Caryn Lerman, PhD
Director, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Associate Dean for Cancer Programs
H. Leslie and Elaine S. Hoffman Chair in Cancer Research
Steve Kay, PhD
University and Provost Professor
Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD
Professor of Medicine
Yali Dou, PHD
Professor of Medicine
Saul Priceman, PhD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Vasiliki Anest, PhD
CCDD: Business Director
Melissa Rodgers, PhD
Director, MESH Strategic Partnerships
External Advisory Committee
Michael Jackson, PhD
Senior Vice President of Drug Development, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
Mark Namchuk, PhD
Executive Director, Therapeutics Translation of Harvard Medical School
Iva Toudjarska, PhD, MBA
Founder and CEO, Zeal Therapeutics
Stefan Scherer, MD, PhD
CEO, 3TBiosciences, Inc.
Contact Information
For more information on the CCDD submission and review process, please contact Melissa Rodgers, Director, MESH Strategic Partnerships
For general questions or interests in partnering with the CCDD, please contact Vasiliki Anest, Business Director, Rosalie and Harold Rae Brown Center for Cancer Drug Development
To learn more about giving to USC Norris, please contact Minhaal M. Nathani, Senior Executive Director of Development.