Highlands Oncology opens $4 million clinical trials suite
by June 2, 2026 2:33 pm 756 views
Springdale-based cancer-care provider Highlands Oncology recently invested about $4 million in an expanded Clinical Trials Suite amid rapid growth in its clinical trials program, which has received approval to participate in first-in-human clinical trials.
The approximately 12,100-square-foot suite at its flagship center in Springdale is designed to advance patient access to innovative cancer therapies, strengthen community-based oncology research, and support the growing complexity and scale of oncology research operations at Highlands Oncology.
“This is the culmination of almost 30 years of work, created from the ground up”, said Dr. Thaddeus Beck, medical director and senior partner at Highlands Oncology. “We have been pioneering research here in Northwest Arkansas since the beginning … It’s been a passion project. But our clinical trials suite and all that we have been able to put together here is at a new level.”
Highlands Oncology has participated in clinical research for more than 26 years. Existing trends show that patient participation in clinical trials is nearly doubling compared to the previous year.
At the end of 2025, Highlands Oncology had about 250 active treatment patients enrolled in clinical trials. The program supports about 150 active clinical trials and includes more than 60 full-time research staff alongside university partnerships, student rotations and collaborations with pharmaceutical sponsors that allow Highlands Oncology to bring new cancer therapies to its patients.
“Clinical trials are not simply about research,” said CEO Jeff Hunnicutt. “They are about providing hope, expanding options, and ensuring patients can receive tomorrow’s treatments today — close to home, surrounded by their families and support systems.”
The suite includes five exam rooms, a procedure room, a laboratory, infusion capabilities and a research pharmacy.
“This level of infrastructure is uncommon in a community oncology setting,” Dr. Beck said. “Patients often assume they must travel to large academic institutions to access innovative therapies or participate in groundbreaking research. Our goal is to bring those opportunities directly to our community.”