Treating pancreatic cancer remains one of the biggest challenges in oncology. While many modern cancer drugs are highly potent, they can be unstable in the body, accumulate in healthy tissues, or cause significant side effects, limiting their effectiveness. Researchers at Swansea University are working to address this challenge through an innovative drug delivery platform designed to help treatments reach tumours more effectively. 

Led by Prof Lewis Francis, Academic Lead for the Swansea MRC Nanoparticle Programme and Co-Inventor, alongside Dr Kadie Edwards, Research, Development and Innovation Officer and Co-Inventor, the team has developed Nanoport, a proprietary platform of polymeric nanoparticles capable of carrying a wide range of therapeutic agents. The technology is designed to protect drugs during delivery, improve targeting to disease sites, and reduce off-target toxicity. 

With support from MRC IAA funding, the researchers are now advancing the next generation of Nanoport formulations for pancreatic cancer. The project focuses on overcoming one of the disease’s most significant barriers: ensuring medicines can effectively penetrate and reach the tumour. 

The team is adapting Nanoport to deliver promising new cancer therapies, including KRAS inhibitors, while simultaneously developing new intellectual property around these formulations. Alongside optimisation and performance testing, the project is generating the evidence required to support future clinical development and larger-scale funding opportunities. 

The ultimate aim is to identify a lead treatment candidate that can progress towards clinical application, laying the groundwork for more effective and targeted therapies for pancreatic cancer patients. 

Dr Kadie Edwards explains:“Our patented Nanoport technology aims to solve this by delivering treatments directly to the tumour.”

The Nanoport platform has the potential to improve the delivery and effectiveness of next-generation cancer therapies, supporting the development of targeted treatments for one of the most difficult cancers to treat while creating valuable new intellectual property and future commercial opportunities.