Background: Curative therapy for PDAC is currently achievable through resection only, but ≤ 15% of patients are candidates for surgery. FG-3019, a recombinant human mAb to connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), plus gemcitabine (G) significantly reduced tumor growth, increased apoptosis and improved survival vs G alone in the KPC mouse model. Higher FG-3019 exposure and lower baseline (BL) CTGF were independently and significantly associated with improved overall median and 1-year survival (OS) in a Ph2a trial with G and erlotinib in stage 3 or 4 PDAC. Neoadjuvant treatment of LAPC with FG-3019 combined with multidrug therapy may change the fibrotic character of LAPC and thus may make it amenable to surgical resection and potentially improve OS. Methods: Patients with unresectable LAPC (confirmed by laparoscopy) are randomized to G/NP ±FG-3019 for 6-cycle/24-week treatment. Safety, efficacy, PK and changes in CT, PET, & CA19.9 from BL through end of treatment (EOT) are assessed. Up to 4 endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided core biopsies are collected at BL. Protein microarrays of pre- and post-treatment biopsies are prepared from tumor and stromal cells isolated by laser capture microdissection. Surgical exploration is performed in subjects who achieved the protocol-defined criteria for possible resection. Results: To date, 11 subjects were enrolled with 5 randomized to +FG-3019 arm. There were no complications from laparoscopy or EUS core biopsies that were clinically significant or delayed dosing. Per investigator assessment, no FG-3019-related SAEs were reported, nor any identified toxicity suspected from combination of FG-3019 with chemotherapy. Overall, CA19.9 mean change from BL was −62.7% at Week 8 (n = 8), and target lesions were reduced by 20.6% (n = 6) at Week 16. Three out of 4 subjects had PET SUV_max reductions of ≥ 30% at EOT. Additional data from protein microarrays will be presented. Conclusions: Based on the limited data collected so far, this trial design is feasible and the G/NP +FG-3019 combination is well-tolerated and appears to be active. Summary results on surgical exploration of subjects will be provided later. Clinical trial information: NCT02210559