A promising pancreatic cancer therapy developed by Spanish scientist Mariano Barbacid has sparked global attention for its striking results in mice. Beyond the scientific breakthrough, the project is also making headlines for the unusual way it is being funded. After preclinical success, the research has encountered a familiar obstacle: securing the substantial funding required to move into human trials. With no dedicated public financing yet committed for this stage, the project has turned to crowdfunding, fuelling broader discussion about how life-saving research is supported.
What the pancreatic cancer research has shown so far
Barbacid leads a team at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Spain’s flagship public cancer research institute. In December 2025, the group reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) that a triple-drug therapy targeting three complementary cancer pathways eradicated pancreatic tumours in mouse models. Crucially, the tumours did not develop resistance, a major cause of treatment failure in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, which has an estimated five-year survival rate of 8–12%, according to data cited by CRIS Contra el Cáncer and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.The authors emphasised that the findings are preclinical, representing proof of concept rather than readiness for patient treatment.
Why human trials have not started
Transitioning from animal studies to first-in-human trials is one of the most expensive and tightly regulated phases of drug development. According to CNIO and Barbacid in interviews with Spanish media, this stage requires toxicology studies, regulatory approvals, and the manufacture of clinical-grade drug compounds.CNIO estimates that around €30 million would ultimately be required to complete Phase 1 clinical trials. As an initial step, approximately €3.5 million is needed urgently to begin toxicology testing and drug manufacturing, a prerequisite for regulatory submission.
The structural funding gap
Researchers and science policy analysts say the situation reflects a well-known structural problem in biomedical research, often described as the “valley of death,” where promising discoveries fall between basic research funding and the high costs of early clinical development. Analysts have noted that existing public funding mechanisms in Spain and across Europe are often poorly equipped to support this translational phase, leaving projects without a clear pathway to patient testing.Several Spanish science commentators have pointed out that this gap affects many publicly funded biomedical projects, not just Barbacid’s work.
Crowdfunding and public mobilisation
In response, fundraising has been coordinated through Fundación CRIS Contra el Cáncer, a long-established Spanish nonprofit that has supported Barbacid’s research for years and has contributed more than €2 million to his work since 2020.According to CRIS and media reports dated 3 February, nearly €800,000 was raised in the first five days of the latest campaign through public donations, primarily via Bizum (code 07666) and online contributions at criscancer.org/barbacid. The charity reported strong public engagement, with tens of thousands interacting with the campaign amid intense media attention. CRIS has noted that the total raised beyond this early figure has not yet been formally confirmed and remains subject to updates on its website.The funds are being used to sustain ongoing research and begin preparatory steps, but they remain insufficient to initiate human trials.
Political criticism and public debate
The reliance on crowdfunding has prompted criticism of Spain’s government from scientists, clinicians, and members of the public, particularly on social media. Posts on X have questioned why a publicly developed cancer therapy with peer-reviewed results must depend on citizen donations to progress, with some users contrasting the lack of trial funding with government spending priorities.These claims are opinion-based and politically charged, and neither Barbacid nor CNIO has endorsed them. Both have stressed publicly that their concern lies with structural funding limitations rather than political intent or obstruction.Independent cancer researchers have welcomed the mouse data while urging restraint about expectations for humans. David Tuveson, director of the Cancer Center at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and chief scientist for the Lustgarten Foundation’s pancreatic cancer research programme, has repeatedly warned in public commentary that pancreatic cancer therapies showing strong effects in mice often fail to translate into human benefit.Other oncologists involved in early-phase clinical trials have echoed this caution, noting that combination and multi-pathway approaches are promising but must be rigorously tested in patients before conclusions can be drawn.
What happens next
Even if additional funding were secured, CNIO estimates that two to three years would be required to complete toxicology studies, regulatory approvals, and manufacturing before Phase 1 trials could begin. With the majority of the estimated €30 million still unfunded, the project’s future depends on whether public institutions, private investors, or a combination of both step in.For now, the therapy remains at the preclinical stage. The crowdfunding campaign has provided momentum and visibility, but not a direct path to patients. The case has become a high-profile example of how scientific promise can collide with financial and institutional constraints at a critical moment in cancer research.
