NuCana (NASDAQ:NCNA) plc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel anti-cancer therapies based on its proprietary ProTide technology. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Cambridge, UK, the company aims to improve the delivery and potency of nucleotide analog drugs to address unmet needs in oncology. NuCana’s ProTide platform is designed to overcome common resistance mechanisms associated with standard chemotherapy, potentially enabling more effective treatment protocols for a variety of solid tumor indications.
The company’s lead candidate, Acelarin (NUC-1031), is a novel ProTide of gemcitabine that has demonstrated promising safety and efficacy signals in multiple clinical trials. Acelarin is being investigated in Phase II and III studies for the treatment of biliary tract cancer, pancreatic cancer and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. In addition to Acelarin, NuCana is advancing NUC-3373, an innovative ProTide of 5-fluorouracil, which has shown preclinical and early-phase clinical activity in colorectal and head and neck cancers. The company’s pipeline also includes NUC-7738, a ProTide designed to activate intracellular pathways that trigger cancer cell death in solid tumors and hematological malignancies.
NuCana maintains operations across the United Kingdom, the United States and select European markets, supporting its clinical programs through both internal research teams and strategic collaborations with academic institutions. The company leverages partnerships and licensing arrangements to accelerate development timelines and broaden its geographic reach. As part of its global strategy, NuCana works closely with clinical research organizations and oncology centers of excellence to facilitate patient enrollment and rapid data generation.
Leadership at NuCana is spearheaded by Chief Executive Officer Richard Godfrey, who co-founded the company and has more than two decades of experience in the biotechnology sector. The management team includes seasoned professionals in clinical development, regulatory affairs and manufacturing. Under this governance structure, NuCana’s board and executive team are committed to advancing the company’s pipeline through key development milestones, with the goal of delivering new treatment options for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
