Binghamton University Dean Leads Global Brain Tumor Research Accelerator

Kanneboyina Nagaraju guides the Brain Tumour Research Novel Therapeutics Accelerator, an international program launched under the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 2:58am

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Kanneboyina Nagaraju, the Dean of Binghamton University's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, is leading a growing, global program that is advancing brain cancer research. Nagaraju serves as the chair of the Brain Tumour Research Novel Therapeutics Accelerator (BTR-NTA), an international program launched under the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) that provides guidance to industry and academic researchers to help position their therapies for clinical trials.

Why it matters

In the last 40 years, almost no new treatments have emerged for patients with brain tumors, due to the difficulty in treating them and the low life expectancy of only 12-18 months after diagnosis. The BTR-NTA program aims to support companies and academics in developing new treatments and getting them successfully delivered to patients.

The details

The BTR-NTA was created by the TJBCM under the model of the TREAT-NMD Advisory Committee for Therapeutics (TACT), an international advisory committee led by leaders in the neuromuscular field. Since its launch in 2023, 33 international groups have applied to the program (55% academic, 45% industry), and 19 therapies for brain tumors have been reviewed by the BTR-NTA committee during five different review cycles. Two of the applicants have received funding to commence trials in humans, and 100% of the applicants secured follow-on funding from foundations, government bodies, or investors.

  • The BTR-NTA was established in 2023.
  • The program has held five review cycles since its launch.

The players

Kanneboyina Nagaraju

The Dean of Binghamton University's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, who serves as the chair of the BTR-NTA program.

Nicky Huskens

The CEO of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM), which launched the BTR-NTA program.

Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM)

An international program that launched the Brain Tumour Research Novel Therapeutics Accelerator (BTR-NTA).

TREAT-NMD Advisory Committee for Therapeutics (TACT)

An international advisory committee led by leaders in the neuromuscular field, which served as the model for the BTR-NTA program.

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What they’re saying

“Organizing and maintaining groups of incredible scholars providing expert advice to future researchers has always been a passion of mine. I felt this was an important opportunity to spearhead, and seeing it succeed was crucial to the field of brain cancer research. With the help of so many amazing colleagues, I am honored to participate in the accelerator program.”

— Kanneboyina Nagaraju, Dean, Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

“Prof. Nagaraju has been fundamental in transferring essential skills and ways of working to leaders in the brain tumor community. He has been fundamental to the development of this programme and has brilliantly mentored me and others in the team. It is a joy working with him, and he is a very inspiring and energetic leader!”

— Nicky Huskens, CEO, Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission

What’s next

The BTR-NTA program continues to review applications and provide guidance to industry and academic researchers developing new treatments for brain tumors, with the goal of supporting the successful delivery of these therapies to patients.

The takeaway

The BTR-NTA program, led by Kanneboyina Nagaraju, is a crucial initiative in the fight against brain cancer, providing a collaborative platform for researchers and clinicians to advance new therapies and improve outcomes for patients with this devastating disease.