Not all pancreatitis patients are the same.

Pancreatitis is a heterogenous disease of recurring inflammation of the pancreas causing extreme pain, digestive dysfunction that leads to diabetes and a high risk of pancreatic cancer.

Over 180,000 Americans, including 10,000 children, have chronic pancreatitis, the most severe form that leads to irreversible damage and is currently untreatable.

Over 2 million people globally are affected by this terrible disease, costing healthcare systems billions each year.

For decades, chronic pancreatitis received scant attention from the scientific community.

Without a good understanding of the mechanisms that cause pancreatitis or how to target those problems, there was very little medical research and no drug development pipeline.

However, in recent years, advances in science and technology that were unimaginable a short time ago, have identified clear targets and put potential therapies and cures within reach. We now know that variants in the CFTR, PRSS1 and SPINK1-2 genes can predispose to the condition, while other genes contribute to the development, progression or severity of the disease. Advances in gene and cell therapies, along with new and repurposed drugs give us attainable goals.

The time to apply our knowledge, technology, leadership, commitment and capital to win the fight against pancreatitis is NOW.