SBIR Concept award for A novel delivery approach to transform metastatic pancreatic cancer treatment and prevention

Pathcision Medicine, Inc., Watertown MA

Investigators

Abstract

This proposal seeks to advance the development of a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) to address the critical need for more effective therapies for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a rare and aggressive cancer with limited standard-of-care options. The ADC is based on a previously identified lead antibody that targets a PDAC-enriched antigen and employs a first-in-class mechanism to deliver the drug to invasive and metastatic lesions selectively. Developing this ADC aims to improve patient outcomes by enhancing therapeutic efficacy, reducing systemic toxicity, and increasing tumor specificity. Clinically, this involves overcoming drug resistance caused by the dense tumor stroma of PDAC and ensuring the ADC effectively targets both invasive and metastatic cancer cells. By addressing these challenges, the therapy aims to extend its use to earlier stages of the disease, prevent recurrence, and potentially be applied to other types of cancer.