Promising Preclinical Results in Pancreatic Cancer

8 August 2026

Developing new approaches to cancer treatment takes time. Before a new technology can be tested in patients, it must first be evaluated through extensive laboratory and preclinical research.

Over the past several years, OncoLize has investigated its localized drug-delivery technology in preclinical tumor models, including pancreatic and lung cancer models.

The results have provided encouraging evidence for the potential of the ChemoGell™ platform and support continued development towards clinical testing.

Testing localized drug delivery in aggressive tumors

Pancreatic and lung cancers can be particularly challenging to treat. Tumors may grow aggressively, develop resistance to treatment and be difficult to target effectively.

OncoLize is investigating whether delivering oncology drugs directly into a tumor can change the way these drugs act at the target site.

The ChemoGell™ platform is designed to create a localized drug depot after injection. The formulation starts as a liquid and rapidly forms a soft hydrogel depot inside the tumor.

From there, the loaded drug is gradually released within the tumor environment over time.

Encouraging results in pancreatic cancer models

One of the most notable findings from OncoLize's preclinical research has been observed in pancreatic cancer models.

In the specific prolonged pancreatic cancer study described by OncoLize, treatment with a ChemoGell™ drug depot resulted in tumor growth arrest and ultimately a 100% survival rate in the studied animals, with no observed adverse effects.

In a part of the studies, a sub-set of the immune system was also activated, whereby ‘cold’ tumors can switch to ‘hot’ meaning that immune cells recognize the tumor and can engage in the attack on the tumor cells. These results are encouraging, while further development and clinical research are required to determine how the approach performs in humans. These results were recently published in the Journal for Drug Delivery and Translational Research, see also this link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13346-026-02187-6

These findings are encouraging because they suggest that localized delivery may be able to maintain a therapeutically relevant drug exposure at the tumor site while limiting systemic exposure.

However, it is important to distinguish preclinical findings from clinical outcomes. Results observed in animal models cannot be assumed to translate directly to patients. Further research is required to establish safety, appropriate dosing and effectiveness in humans.

Beyond pancreatic cancer

The research has also included lung tumor models.

Across the preclinical studies, OncoLize has observed evidence that localized drug depots can slow aggressive tumor growth and, in some models, lead to loss of tumor viability.

These results support the broader potential of the ChemoGell™ platform as a drug-delivery technology for solid tumors.

The platform is not limited to one particular active ingredient. OncoLize has investigated formulations containing established oncology drugs such as Gemcitabine, Paclitaxel and Cis-Platinum, as well as a proprietary peptide.

Why the drug depot matters

The potential advantage of the approach lies in the way the drug is distributed.

With systemic administration, an oncology drug circulates throughout the body. Only part of the administered dose reaches the tumor, while healthy tissues and organs can also be exposed.

ChemoGell™ takes a different approach. The formulation is injected directly into the tumor, where it forms a localized depot within seconds.

The depot then gradually releases the drug, aiming to maintain a high concentration at the tumor while limiting unnecessary exposure elsewhere in the body.

Preclinical data generated with the platform have indicated substantially higher drug concentrations inside target tissue and lower exposure outside the target tissue compared with systemic administration in specific models.

100% survival: what does it mean?

A 100% survival rate is an important result in the specific preclinical study in which it was observed, but it needs to be understood in context.

It means that all animals in the particular treated group survived for the duration of the study. It does not mean that the treatment has been shown to produce a 100% survival rate in humans.

This distinction is essential when communicating early-stage cancer research.

Preclinical studies are designed to generate evidence and help determine whether a technology is sufficiently promising and safe to justify further development. Clinical trials are required to determine whether the same benefits can be achieved in patients.

From preclinical evidence to clinical development

The next stage of OncoLize's journey is therefore focused on translating the encouraging preclinical findings into a development program suitable for human testing.

This includes further safety assessments, formulation and manufacturing development, regulatory preparation and clinical trial documentation.

The company is initially focusing on pancreatic cancer, while the broader ChemoGell™ platform has potential applications across different solid tumor types.

The goal is to build a robust body of evidence before moving into First-in-Human clinical trials.

Why these results matter

For OncoLize, the significance of the preclinical research goes beyond a single study or a single tumor type.

The findings provide support for the underlying concept: that established oncology drugs may have additional potential when delivered directly and locally into a tumor.

The combination of direct injection, rapid depot formation and gradual drug release creates a different exposure profile from conventional systemic administration.

Further research will determine whether this can translate into meaningful clinical benefits for patients.

The road ahead

The results from pancreatic and lung tumor models provide an encouraging foundation, but the most important stages of development are still ahead.

OncoLize is working towards the safety, manufacturing and regulatory milestones required to advance the ChemoGell™ platform towards clinical testing.

The ultimate question is whether the promising effects observed in preclinical models can be reproduced safely and effectively in humans.

For now, the data provide a reason to continue the investigation: a localized approach that has shown strong effects in specific preclinical tumor models deserves further study.

Learn more about OncoLize, its ChemoGell™ technology and the company's investment opportunity at the investors page.