#USA #biotechnology #Clinical Trial #pancreatic cancer #Morgantown, WV

Continuity Biosciences Unveils Groundbreaking Human Trial

Continuity Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotechnology firm, has officially announced the commencement of its very first human clinical trial. This noteworthy study focuses on evaluating gemcitabine, a well-known chemotherapy drug, administered via their innovative iontophoretic oncology platform (IOP) specifically designed for pancreatic cancer. As patients desperately seek novel treatment modalities, this initiative represents a crucial step forward in enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

The trial, which has been cataloged on ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier NCT07481383, is currently enrolling participants at leading academic medical centers across the United States. Notable facilities include the WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital and the Taubman Center at the University of Michigan.

A New Approach to Drug Administration

The proprietary IOP developed by Continuity Biosciences aims to solve persistent issues regarding drug penetration and systemic toxicity that have historically hindered effective treatment of pancreatic tumors. By enabling localized and controlled drug delivery directly into the tumor, this platform is expected to increase intratumoral drug concentration while substantially reducing systemic exposure, thereby enhancing the therapeutic potential of both existing and emerging cancer therapies.

Ramakrishna “Krishna” Venugopalan, the CEO of Continuity Biosciences, remarked, “This initial human study marks a significant milestone in our mission to transform treatment administration for solid tumors. By facilitating precise and localized delivery, we believe our platform can improve the effectiveness of current treatments and serve as a basis for combined therapeutic approaches across various tumor types.”

Pancreatic cancer continues to be a leading cause of cancer mortality, with five-year survival rates hovering around a dismal ten percent. Despite advances in systemic therapies, the effective delivery of medications directly to pancreatic tumors remains a substantial barrier to improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Jen Jen Yeh, director of the Pancreatic Cancer Excellence Center at the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, emphasized the urgent need for improved treatment options, stating, “Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging types of cancer to treat, and patients urgently need better choices. Approaches that allow precise treatment administration directly into the tumor while sparing the rest of the body could significantly alter patient outcomes.”

Ensuring Safety and Efficacy

Dr. Brian Boone, an oncological surgeon at the University of Virginia Cancer Institute and principal investigator of the WVU Medicine trial, noted, “This trial is a decisive step towards safer and more effective administration of gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer patients. By targeting treatment directly at the tumor, we hope to enhance outcomes while reducing the side effects that so often limit treatment in advanced disease cases.”

The challenge of effectively administering sufficient medication within the tumor without adversely affecting the surrounding healthy tissue has long persisted in pancreatic cancer therapy. Dr. Benjamin Ferguson, an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Michigan, commented, “This study will provide critical insight into whether targeted and localized delivery can overcome this barrier for gemcitabine, potentially paving the way for improved treatment strategies for patients with limited options.”

Beyond pancreatic cancer, Continuity Biosciences is also exploring the broader applicability of its IOP platform in various oncological contexts, including localized administration of carboplatin for head, neck, and oral cancers.

About Continuity Biosciences

Continuity Biosciences is a pioneering clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of precision drug delivery platforms designed to enable targeted and localized therapy across a range of diseases. The company's innovative technologies aim to address significant translational barriers by improving the methods of therapy delivery, distribution, and maintenance, with applications spanning oncology, endocrinology, and beyond. Continuity Biosciences is committed to translating cutting-edge innovation in drug delivery into practical therapeutic solutions for patients worldwide.

For further details, please visit Continuity Biosciences.