Pancreatic Cancer North America

What Pancreatic Cancer North America does

Pancreatic Cancer North America (PCNA), also operating as Pancreatic Cancer Canada (PCC) and PCNA, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Toronto with a US office in New York, dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer through research funding, patient support, awareness, and advocacy. The organization serves pancreatic cancer patients, their caregivers and families, healthcare providers and researchers, and donors/advocates. Primary revenue derives from individual donations, corporate giving, and fundraising events; all patient-facing services (peer support, counseling, navigation, clinical trial matching, educational resources) are delivered free of charge, primarily through the Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation partnership in Canada.

The organization funds and operates a portfolio of clinical research and early detection initiatives. Core research products include the Phase II NeoPancONE trial across 10 Canadian cancer centers (84 enrolled from 146 screened, validating the GATA6 biomarker as a predictor of chemotherapy response), the PASS-01 personalized medicine trial (160 patients across US/Canada sites comparing modified FOLFIRINOX with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel), and a multi-institutional AI early detection initiative led by MD Anderson researchers integrating pre-diagnostic CT imaging with blood-based biomarkers across a dataset of 1,300 cases and approximately 2,000 matched controls. Patient-facing products include the Ask an Expert navigation service, Peer Support, Monthly Support Groups, and Short-Term Counselling, supplemented by the Connor Page Fund for clinical trial access, the annual Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and an educational resources library. The organization presents research at major medical conferences (ASCO 2025) and operates alongside PANCAN for US clinical trial matching.

PCNA operates as a dual-jurisdiction non-profit (Canada: Charitable Registration Number 84870 1967 RR0001; US: Tax ID 84-5185853) under CEO Michelle Capobianco. Its business model is donation-funded with no pricing model for services, and its go-to-market is community-led, event-driven, and direct-to-consumer: a helpline (1.888.726.2269), website portal, email newsletters, social media, survivor storytelling, medical conference presence, and referrals through cancer center partnerships.

Name

Pancreatic Cancer North America

Legal name

Pancreatic Cancer North America

Website

https://pancreaticcancernorthamerica.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pancreatic Cancer North America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit operating in the US and Canada, funding clinical trials (NeoPancONE, PASS-01) and AI-driven early detection research while delivering free peer support, counseling, and navigation services to pancreatic cancer patients and families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pancreatic Cancer Patient Support and Research Advocacy

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

Keywords

• Pancreatic cancer research
• Patient support services
• Clinical trial funding
• Cancer advocacy nonprofit
• Biomarker research

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: Pancreatic Cancer North America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that raises funds through individual donations, corporate giving, and fundraising campaigns. Contributions are tax-deductible as permitted by law.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pancreatic Cancer North America is a non-profit organization that funds pancreatic cancer research (including the NeoPancONE and PASS-01 clinical trials and AI-based early detection research) and provides free patient and caregiver support programs such as Ask an Expert navigation, peer support, short-term counseling, and monthly support groups. Resources are delivered to patients and families affected by pancreatic cancer in North America at no cost.

Product overview

Pancreatic Cancer North America (PCNA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer through a portfolio of research investments and patient support programs. The organization funds innovative clinical trials including NeoPancONE (biomarker-guided peri-operative chemotherapy) and PASS-01 (personalized chemotherapy selection), and is investing in AI-powered early detection research. PCNA's patient support services include the Ask an Expert navigation service, Peer Support, Short-Term Counselling, and Monthly Support Groups, all delivered in partnership with Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation. The organization also runs advocacy programs including Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and the Connor Page Fund for clinical trial access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NeoPancONE Clinical Trial Phase II clinical trial testing peri-operative chemotherapy (chemo before and after surgery) for operable pancreatic cancer, using GATA6 biomarker to guide personalized treatment decisions.
• PASS-01 Clinical Trial First trial directly comparing two standard chemotherapy options (modified FOLFIRINOX vs gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel) for metastatic pancreatic cancer using a biomarker-guided personalized medicine approach.
• AI Early Detection Research Initiative Multi-institutional research initiative using artificial intelligence to integrate imaging and blood-based biomarkers for early pancreatic cancer detection, led by MD Anderson researchers.
• Ask an Expert Service Navigation service connecting patients and caregivers with expert guidance to help navigate pancreatic cancer diagnosis, treatment options, and clinical trials.
• Peer Support Program Connects pancreatic cancer patients with survivor volunteers who provide emotional support and shared experience-based guidance through the cancer journey.
• Short-Term Counselling Specialized psychological counselling services for pancreatic cancer patients and families, provided through partnership with Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation.
• Monthly Support Groups Peer support groups specifically designed for those experiencing the unique impact of pancreatic cancer, facilitated through the Wellspring partnership and available across Canada free of charge.
• Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month Annual awareness campaign in November to raise visibility and funding for pancreatic cancer research and patient support.
• Connor Page Fund for Improved Access to Clinical Trials Fund providing resources and guidance to help Canadian families navigate clinical trial participation, sharing patient advocacy playbook and supporting access to cutting-edge treatments.
• Patient and Caregiver Resources Comprehensive information resources covering pancreatic cancer signs, symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, genetic testing, clinical trials, and palliative care.

Quantifiable outcome

• Patient survival - Angie Lachocki survived beyond initial prognosis of less than 2 years after NeoPancONE clinical trial treatment
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Wellspring Cancer Support FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPancreatic Cancer Canada has partnered with Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation to create specialized programs for the pancreatic cancer community including Peer Support, Monthly Support Groups, and Short-Term Counselling. These programs are specifically geared towards patients and loved ones experiencing the unique impact of pancreatic cancer and are available across Canada free of charge.
• MD Anderson Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Eugene J. Koay, Associate Professor at MD Anderson, leads AI-based early detection research funded by PCC. Collaboration with Dr. Anirban Maitra, scientific director of Pancreatic Cancer Research Center at MD Anderson, forms the core of multi-institutional imaging repository for early pancreatic cancer detection.
• Dana-Farber Cancer InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the multi-institutional collaboration combining pre-diagnostic CT images for pancreatic cancer early detection using artificial intelligence.
• Stanford UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in AI early detection research collaboration, contributing expertise in imaging and computational algorithms.
• Johns Hopkins MedicinemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in multi-institutional early detection research initiative combining pre-diagnostic imaging data.
• City of Hope National Medical CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution in AI early detection research collaboration for pancreatic cancer.
• UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner contributing pre-diagnostic CT images and clinical data to the multi-institutional imaging repository.
• Baylor College of MedicinemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in the multi-institutional early detection initiative using AI and imaging analysis.
• TGen (Translational Genomics Research Institute)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in AI-based pancreatic cancer early detection research collaboration.
• Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner contributing to multi-institutional pancreatic cancer early detection efforts using AI.
• Princess Margaret Cancer CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary investigator Dr. Jennifer Knox leads PASS-01 and NeoPancONE trials. Co-director of the McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer. Key Canadian research institution partner.
• BC Cancer AgencymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating cancer centre in PASS-01 clinical trial. Contributes Canadian patient enrollment and research expertise.
• Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institute partner in PASS-01 clinical trial collaboration advancing pancreatic cancer treatment.
• Cold Spring Harbor LaboratorymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in PASS-01 international collaboration contributing genomic and biomarker expertise.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating institution in PASS-01 clinical trial, contributing US-based patient enrollment and research capabilities.
• Northwell HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partner contributing to PASS-01 clinical trial research collaboration.
• PANCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS pancreatic cancer organization providing free clinical trial matching services. Assigned case managers who conduct comprehensive searches for trials specific to patient genetics.
• Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating cancer centre in NeoPancONE clinical trial. Location where patient Sandra Mahne underwent Whipple surgery.
• St. Michael's Hospital (Toronto)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating cancer centre in NeoPancONE clinical trial.
• St. Joseph's Health Centre (Toronto)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating cancer centre in NeoPancONE clinical trial.
• Kingston General HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating cancer centre in NeoPancONE clinical trial.
• The Ottawa HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating cancer centre in NeoPancONE clinical trial.
• Jewish General Hospital (Montreal)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating cancer centre in NeoPancONE clinical trial.
• London Health Sciences CentremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating cancer centre in NeoPancONE clinical trial.
• Christ Hospital (Cincinnati)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS trial site where patient Connor Page participated in RMC 6236 KRAS inhibitor clinical trial.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lustgarten Foundation: Largest US private funder of pancreatic cancer research. Co-funds the PASS-01 trial with PCNA via Stand Up To Cancer's Pancreatic Cancer Collective, operating with a similar research-funding-plus-advocacy model and directly comparable mission.
• National Pancreas Foundation: US nonprofit addressing pancreatic diseases including pancreatic cancer through research, advocacy, and patient education. Comparable patient-services-plus-research funding model.
• Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research: US nonprofit dedicated to pancreatic cancer research funding and patient support. Closely aligned with PCNA's disease-specific research-and-support mission at similar organizational scale.
• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN): US-based pancreatic cancer advocacy and research funder offering clinical trial matching, patient services, and research grants. Directly comparable disease-specific mission, fundraising model, and patient navigation services.

Emerging players

• Stand Up To Cancer: Co-funder of the PASS-01 trial through the Pancreatic Cancer Collective with Lustgarten and PCNA. Comparable large-scale cancer research funding model across multiple disease areas.
• Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation: Canadian cancer support organization that is PCNA's partner in delivering Peer Support, Monthly Support Groups, and Short-Term Counselling. Comparable patient support programming for cancer populations.

Others

• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer: Disease-specific cancer research nonprofit with comparable grassroots fundraising, research grant programs, and survivor-family community building - useful analog for niche-disease nonprofit model.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: US cancer centre that is both a PCNA research partner (PASS-01 trial site) and a research institution in its own right. Listed as adjacent rather than peer because MSKCC is a hospital/research centre, not a charity, but operates comparably in pancreatic cancer clinical research.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: US national cancer nonprofit funding research, patient support, and advocacy across all cancer types. Comparable research-funding and patient-support mission at much larger scale.
• Canadian Cancer Society: Canada's largest national cancer charity funding research across all cancer types. Overlaps with PCNA's Canadian research funding footprint and donor base but with a broader disease mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pancreatic-cancer-north-america

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pancreatic Cancer North America