Propanc Biopharma Explains How PRP Could Impact Pancreatic Cancer

MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Propanc Biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPCB) (“Propanc” or the “Company”), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for chronic diseases, including recurrent and metastatic cancer, today announced the latest update on pancreatic cancer research. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal human malignancies: median survival after diagnosis is typically measured in months, and the five-year survival rate is below 10 %. Traditional therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation often fail to achieve durable remission, especially in metastatic or chemoresistant disease. This high unmet need has drawn interest to novel mechanisms of action — including Propanc Biopharma’s pancreatic proenzyme formulation known as PRP.

Propanc’s lead clinical candidate, PRP, is a proprietary mixture of two pancreatic proenzymes — trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen — formulated in a synergistic 1:6 ratio and administered intravenously. These proenzymes are hypothesized to target cancer stem cells (CSCs) and modulate malignant cellular programs such as the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process linked to metastasis and drug resistance.

Key Mechanistic Findings from Preclinical Studies include:

Importantly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Orphan Drug Designation to PRP in 2017 for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, recognizing the severe unmet need and small patient population.

Propanc has progressed its PRP candidate toward human studies. Following an initial public offering and Nasdaq listing, the company is advancing plans to initiate Phase I/II clinical trials in 2026, starting with dose-finding studies and moving to proof-of-concept studies in pancreatic and other cancers. (MedPath)

Pancreatic cancer therapeutics represent a rapidly expanding global market as incidence rises and new treatments emerge. Recent market research provides the following context:

Global Market Projections:

North America — particularly the United States — constitutes one of the largest revenue sectors in this market. (Precedence Research)

Propanc Biopharma is a pre-revenue biotechnology company focused on early-stage clinical development:

While the scientific rationale for PRP is compelling, pancreatic cancer remains biologically complex, with historical challenges in translating early preclinical signals to clinical success. Challenges include:

Yet, if PRP proves safe and effective, its mechanism of targeting cancer stem cells and modulating EMT could offer a distinct therapeutic option in a market desperate for innovation. Combining that potential with a significant and growing addressable pancreatic cancer market underscores why PRP’s clinical success could have both medical and financial implications in the years ahead.

Propanc Biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPCB) is developing a novel approach to preventing cancer recurrence and metastasis by targeting and eradicating cancer stem cells through proenzyme activation. The Company’s lead product candidate, PRP, is designed to address the underlying drivers of cancer proliferation and spread.

All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, statements relating to the Company’s expectations regarding its market position and market opportunity, expectations and plans as to its product development, manufacturing and sales, and relations with its partners and investors, made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company’s current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding its business, operations and other similar or related factors. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “believe,” “estimate,” and other similar or related expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict and, in some cases, beyond the Company’s control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future actions or performance. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements because of several factors, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties related to market conditions, as well as those risks described under “Risk Factors” in the prospectus related to the proposed offering and those described in the Company’s filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.