This is getting interesting. Out of 55 advanced pancreatic cancer patients enrolled in their phase 2a drug trial, Amplia have seen 15 partial responses and a week ago they reported 2 complete responses. The company says achieving 15 partial responses already indicated an improvement on standard-of-care (chemo) and they are only part way through the trial.

Actually, 10 of the initial 26 in the first cohort had already shown a partial response by January. If the second cohort responds similarly then the numbers will be unambiguous. Top line read out is due in Q3 2025.

What is a complete response? When no cancer can be detected in scans for 2 months. Extremely rare in advanced pancreatic cancer.

What is a partial response? When tumours appear to have shrunk.

What is the drug? An FAK inhibitor that breaks down the fibrous shield of cancers, being combined with standard-of-care chemo to make that more effective.

2 trials: There are two main types of chemo drug cocktails that Amplia's drug will be combined with in trial. The first is more common in Australia and is currently being trialled in Aust and Korea. The second is a more aggressive chemo favoured in the USA (soon to be trialled).