Seeking Preclinical Pancreatic Cancer Models for Drug Distribution Studies

Daiichi Sankyo, a global pharmaceutical company, is seeking advanced preclinical models of pancreatic cancer that more closely replicate the clinical tumor microenvironment than conventional models. Models that support drug distribution and pharmacokinetic studies are also welcome. 

Approaches of Interest:

• Advanced in vivo models, such as genetically engineered mouse models, patient-derived xenografts, syngeneic models, or humanized models, that reproduce the tumor microenvironment of clinical pancreatic cancer such as tumor-stroma ratio, stromal composition, and vascular architecture of pancreatic cancer 
• Advanced ex vivo systems, such as pancreatic cancer slice cultures, fresh patient tumor explants and perfused tissue systems, that support high-throughput assessment of distribution and tissue penetration of drugs 
• Models paired with quantitative evaluation methods, including three-dimensional assessment of intratumoral drug distribution and tumor cell drug exposure following administration, as well as relevant imaging and analysis approaches 
• Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma models will be prioritized and both primary and metastatic disease models will be considered 

Out of Scope:

• Models based solely on orthotopic transplantation of cancer cell lines into the pancreas 
• In vitro models, including organoids 
• Proposals describing an evaluation or imaging system alone, without an accompanying model 
• Well-established models and culture systems that do not incorporate novel technology

Developmental Stages of Interest:

• Opportunities from basic research through late preclinical development are within scope 
• Models providing ex vivo evidence that can be correlated with clinical outcomes are of particular interest 

Submission Information

Daiichi Sankyo invites applications from both academic institutions and industry organizations. Submission of one-page, 200–300-word briefs are highly encouraged, along with supplementary information e.g. slide decks and relevant publications. In submitting to this campaign, you confirm that your submission contains only non-confidential information. 

Opportunity for Collaboration

Our client is open to a range of collaboration opportunities, with the most appropriate outcome being decided on a case-by-case basis. Example outcomes include licensing assets, project/PhD funding, and research collaborations.