Continuity Biosciences Launches First Human Clinical Trial for Precision Drug Delivery in Pancreatic Cancer
Continuity Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Cary, North Carolina, recently made headlines by announcing its first human clinical trial aimed at investigating its innovative drug delivery platform for pancreatic cancer treatment. This critical Phase I study explores the delivery of Gemcitabine through the company's proprietary iontophoretic oncology platform (IOP), specifically designed to address the challenges of drug penetration and systemic toxicity that have historically hindered effective treatment options for pancreatic tumors.
The study, which is officially listed on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07481383), is currently opening up for patient enrollment at several leading academic medical centers. Notable locations include WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia, and the Taubman Center at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The IOP platform developed by Continuity Biosciences aims to provide localized and controlled administration of therapeutics directly into pancreatic tumors. This novel approach is expected to overcome long-standing challenges that traditional therapies face, specifically by achieving higher intratumoral drug concentrations while minimizing systemic exposure. The potential for this targeted approach is significant, as it could enhance the effectiveness of both existing and novel oncological therapies.
Speaking on the significance of the trial, Ramakrishna ‘Krishna’ Venugopalan, CEO of Continuity Biosciences, expressed, "This first-in-human study marks a pivotal milestone in our mission to transform how therapies are delivered to solid tumors. Our platform's precision in local delivery stands to improve the efficacy of current medications and serve as a foundation for combination therapies across various tumor types."
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality, with five-year survival rates lingering in the low double digits. Despite advancements in systemic therapies, the effective delivery of medications to pancreatic tumors continues to pose a significant barrier to achieving better treatment outcomes. The need for better therapy options is urgent, as highlighted by experts in the field.
Dr. Jen Jen Yeh, who leads the Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence at the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, stated, "Pancreatic cancer is still among the hardest cancers to treat, and patients desperately need better options. Strategies that enable effective and precise tumor targeting while sparing the rest of the body could significantly change treatment outcomes for patients."
Dr. Brian Boone, a surgical oncologist at WVU Cancer Institute and principal investigator of the WVU Medicine study, underscored that "this study represents a crucial step towards a safer and more efficacious delivery of Gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer patients. By targeting the therapy directly to the tumor, we hope to improve treatment outcomes while reducing the side effects that often limit treatments at late disease stages."
Moreover, Dr. Benjamin Ferguson, M.D., PhD, a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Michigan Medical Center, emphasized, "One of the central challenges in treating pancreatic cancer is delivering sufficient drug concentrations to the tumor without harming the rest of the body. This study will determine whether localized drug delivery can overcome this hurdle with Gemcitabine, potentially paving the way for improved treatment strategies for patients with limited options."
Beyond pancreatic cancer, Continuity Biosciences is also exploring broader applications of its IOP platform for other oncological diseases, including the localized delivery of Carboplatin for oral cavity and head and neck cancers.
About Continuity Biosciences: Continuity Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing precision drug delivery platforms that support localized therapies for a range of diseases. The company’s technologies are designed to overcome key translational hurdles by enhancing the delivery, distribution, and sustained effect of therapies, with applications in oncology, endocrinology, and beyond, aiming to translate innovations in precision delivery into practical therapeutic solutions for patients worldwide.
To learn more, visit Continuity Biosciences.
The study, which is officially listed on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07481383), is currently opening up for patient enrollment at several leading academic medical centers. Notable locations include WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia, and the Taubman Center at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The IOP platform developed by Continuity Biosciences aims to provide localized and controlled administration of therapeutics directly into pancreatic tumors. This novel approach is expected to overcome long-standing challenges that traditional therapies face, specifically by achieving higher intratumoral drug concentrations while minimizing systemic exposure. The potential for this targeted approach is significant, as it could enhance the effectiveness of both existing and novel oncological therapies.
Speaking on the significance of the trial, Ramakrishna ‘Krishna’ Venugopalan, CEO of Continuity Biosciences, expressed, "This first-in-human study marks a pivotal milestone in our mission to transform how therapies are delivered to solid tumors. Our platform's precision in local delivery stands to improve the efficacy of current medications and serve as a foundation for combination therapies across various tumor types."
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality, with five-year survival rates lingering in the low double digits. Despite advancements in systemic therapies, the effective delivery of medications to pancreatic tumors continues to pose a significant barrier to achieving better treatment outcomes. The need for better therapy options is urgent, as highlighted by experts in the field.
Dr. Jen Jen Yeh, who leads the Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence at the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, stated, "Pancreatic cancer is still among the hardest cancers to treat, and patients desperately need better options. Strategies that enable effective and precise tumor targeting while sparing the rest of the body could significantly change treatment outcomes for patients."
Dr. Brian Boone, a surgical oncologist at WVU Cancer Institute and principal investigator of the WVU Medicine study, underscored that "this study represents a crucial step towards a safer and more efficacious delivery of Gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer patients. By targeting the therapy directly to the tumor, we hope to improve treatment outcomes while reducing the side effects that often limit treatments at late disease stages."
Moreover, Dr. Benjamin Ferguson, M.D., PhD, a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Michigan Medical Center, emphasized, "One of the central challenges in treating pancreatic cancer is delivering sufficient drug concentrations to the tumor without harming the rest of the body. This study will determine whether localized drug delivery can overcome this hurdle with Gemcitabine, potentially paving the way for improved treatment strategies for patients with limited options."
Beyond pancreatic cancer, Continuity Biosciences is also exploring broader applications of its IOP platform for other oncological diseases, including the localized delivery of Carboplatin for oral cavity and head and neck cancers.
About Continuity Biosciences: Continuity Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing precision drug delivery platforms that support localized therapies for a range of diseases. The company’s technologies are designed to overcome key translational hurdles by enhancing the delivery, distribution, and sustained effect of therapies, with applications in oncology, endocrinology, and beyond, aiming to translate innovations in precision delivery into practical therapeutic solutions for patients worldwide.
To learn more, visit Continuity Biosciences.
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