NuCana plc (NCNA) has a platform which enables it to take common and ordinarily effective nucleoside chemotherapy drugs like gemcitabine and overcome cellular resistance to them. This vastly increases the efficacy quotient of these drugs. The company's lead drug candidate is Acelarin, which is a "nucleotide analog (gemcitabine monophosphate) and a protective phosphoramidate moiety, which is a specific combination of an aryl, ester and amino acid grouping." Acelarin is in clinical trials in multiple indications, with the lead indication being pancreatic cancer. It is also in mid to late stages in biliary duct