Garvan Institute Secures $3M Grant to Test Syntara’s Drug in Pancreatic Cancer Trial
The Garvan Institute has won a $3 million MRFF grant to conduct pivotal pancreatic cancer studies, including one evaluating Syntara’s amsulostat combined with chemotherapy. Recruitment is slated to begin mid-2026 across major NSW cancer centres.
- Garvan Institute awarded $3 million MRFF grant for pancreatic cancer clinical trials
- One study to test Syntara’s amsulostat (SNT-5505) with standard chemotherapy
- Syntara provides drug and expertise without cash funding
- Trial recruitment expected mid-2026 at NSW cancer centres
- Research targets tumour fibrosis to improve chemotherapy effectiveness
A New Chapter in Pancreatic Cancer Research
The Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney has secured a significant $3 million grant from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to advance clinical studies in advanced pancreatic cancer. This funding will support two multicentre trials, one of which will evaluate the efficacy of Syntara Limited’s investigational drug amsulostat (SNT-5505) in combination with standard chemotherapy.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest cancers, largely due to its resistance to conventional treatments. A major obstacle is the dense fibrous tissue surrounding tumours, which acts as a barrier to chemotherapy drugs. The Garvan Institute’s groundbreaking preclinical research, published in Nature Cancer, demonstrated that targeting this tumour fibrosis can enhance drug penetration and reduce tumour spread.
Syntara’s Role and Strategic Collaboration
Syntara, a clinical-stage biotech company specialising in anti-fibrotic therapies, will supply amsulostat and provide scientific and clinical expertise for the trial without contributing cash funding. This arrangement underscores the strength of the collaboration and the confidence in the drug’s potential.
Professor Thomas Cox of the Garvan Institute highlighted the importance of this trial as a critical step in translating laboratory findings into tangible treatment options for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The trial will incorporate precision medicine approaches, including molecular and genetic profiling, to identify which patients may benefit most from the therapy.
Looking Ahead – Recruitment and Broader Implications
Recruitment for the studies is expected to commence mid-2026 across leading cancer centres in New South Wales, including Westmead Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, and Wollongong Hospital. While details on the study design and timelines will be released closer to commencement, the initiative marks a significant milestone in pancreatic cancer research.
Beyond pancreatic cancer, the approach of targeting tumour fibrosis could have wider applications for other solid tumours characterised by fibrous barriers, such as certain breast, liver, and lung cancers. This broad potential adds an extra layer of interest to the trial’s outcomes.
Syntara CEO Gary Phillips emphasised the company’s ongoing commitment to advancing its clinical pipeline, noting that this MRFF-supported pancreatic cancer study is one of four clinical trials funded with non-dilutive capital, reflecting the quality and promise of their scientific research.
Bottom Line?
As recruitment gears up, all eyes will be on how amsulostat performs in overcoming pancreatic cancer’s stubborn fibrotic defenses.
Questions in the middle?
- What specific patient subgroups will benefit most from amsulostat combined with chemotherapy?
- How quickly will recruitment progress across the NSW cancer centres?
- Could positive trial results accelerate Syntara’s partnerships or commercial opportunities?
