 |
The study is now actively recruiting at multiple leading academic medical centers.
CARY, N.C. and BRADENTON, Fla.May 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Continuity Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to advancing precision drug delivery platforms, today announced the initiation of its first-in-human Phase I clinical trial evaluating gemcitabine delivered via its iontophoretic oncology platform (IOP) for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Continuity Biosciences’ proprietary IOP platform is designed to achieve localized, controlled delivery of therapeutic agents directly to pancreatic tumors, addressing two long-standing challenges in conventional therapy: poor drug penetration and systemic toxicity. These issues have consistently limited the effectiveness of standard treatments. By enhancing local drug concentration at the tumor site while minimizing systemic exposure, the IOP platform aims to improve the therapeutic efficacy of both existing and emerging oncology therapies.
“This first-in-human study represents a significant step forward in our mission to revolutionize drug delivery for solid tumors,” said Ramakrishna “Krishna” Venugopalan, CEO of Continuity Biosciences. “We believe that with its precision local delivery capabilities, this platform can not only enhance the effectiveness of current therapies but also serve as a cornerstone for combination treatment strategies across multiple tumor types.”
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, with a five-year survival rate still in the low double digits. Despite advances in systemic therapies, achieving effective drug delivery to pancreatic tumors remains a major barrier to improving outcomes.
“Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat, and patients urgently need better options,” said Jen Jen Yeh, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Director of the Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Approaches that can precisely deliver treatment to the tumor without harming the rest of the body have the potential to meaningfully change patient outcomes.”
“This trial represents a critical step toward safer, more effective delivery of gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer patients,” said Brian Boone, M.D., surgical oncologist at the WVU Cancer Institute and principal investigator of the trial at WVU Medicine. “By targeting treatment directly to the tumor, we hope to improve outcomes while reducing the side effects that often limit therapy in advanced disease.”
“One of the core challenges in treating pancreatic cancer is getting enough drug into the tumor without harming the rest of the body,” said Benjamin Ferguson, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor and surgical oncologist at the University of Michigan Medical Center. “This study will tell us whether targeted, local delivery can help gemcitabine overcome that barrier and lead to better treatment strategies for patients with limited options.”
Beyond pancreatic cancer, Continuity Biosciences is exploring the applicability of its IOP platform in additional oncology settings, including localized delivery of carboplatin for oral and head and neck cancers.