This is the largest single-year research funding total in the Kosten Foundation’s history, with grants distributed evenly to leading medical institutions across the country.

Memphis, Tenn., February 5, 2026 – The Kosten Foundation announced today it has approved $225,000 in pancreatic cancer research grants for 2026, marking the largest annual research investment in the organization’s history. The Memphis-based pancreatic cancer nonprofit will award $75,000 each to the University of Texas Southwestern, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and NYU School of Medicine to support innovative pancreatic cancer research programs.

“We are incredibly grateful to our donors and supporters who made it possible for us to award $225,000 in research grants this year,” said Alan Kosten, Chairman of the Kosten Foundation. “We take this responsibility very seriously. Supporting these outstanding research teams allows us to help accelerate progress toward earlier detection, more effective treatments, and ultimately better outcomes for patients facing pancreatic cancer.”

The Kosten Foundation continues to expand its fundraising efforts to increase research impact. Community-supported events, including the Foundation’s annual Kick It 5K run/walk, and Kick It Pickleball Tournament fundraisers, play a significant role in making these record-setting research awards possible while also raising awareness about pancreatic cancer.

Since its founding in 2003, the Kosten Foundation has donated more than $3.2 million to pancreatic cancer research. Summaries of the 2026 funded research programs are below:

· University of Texas Southwestern Researchers are collecting clinical data and tissue samples from individuals at increased risk for pancreatic cancer to improve diagnostic accuracy and support the development of more personalized treatment strategies.

· University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Researchers are studying the effectiveness of a gene-based therapy designed to inhibit pancreatic tumor growth and increase the cancer’s vulnerability to chemotherapy.

· NYU School of Medicine Researchers are advancing methods to profile drug sensitivity using circulating tumor cell

(CTC) cultures to better predict treatment response and disease progression, including advanced molecular analysis to identify aggressive pancreatic cancer cell populations.

Looking ahead, the Kosten Foundation is actively interested in expanding its research partnerships. Medical research institutions and investigators focused on pancreatic cancer are encouraged to submit inquiries and research proposals for potential 2027 funding consideration. Organizations seeking more information about the Foundation’s research priorities and proposal process may visit www.KostenFoundation.com to submit inquiries or initiate a proposal conversation.

In addition to its research initiatives, the Kosten Foundation hosts the only free, in-person and virtual pancreatic cancer support group in the Mid-South. The support group meets on the second Saturday of each month and is open to patients, caregivers, and loved ones.

More information about the Kosten Foundation, its research funding, support resources, and upcoming events is available at www.KostenFoundation.com.

The pancreatic cancer research team at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine was one of four research teams awarded a grant by the Kosten Foundation for pancreatic cancer support.

Left to Right: Dr. Vivek Kashyap, Ph.D. – UTRGV Assistant Research Professor School of Medicine (SOM) Department of Immunology & Microbiology; Dr. Vijian Dhevan, MD, MBA, FACS – UTRGV Assistant Professor of School of Medicine (SOM) Surgery Department; Dr. Subhash C. Chauhan, Ph.D. – UTRGV Professor & Chairman of School of Medicine (SOM) Immunology Department and Director of South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research; Dr. Michael Hocker, MD, MHS – Dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine (SOM) & Senior Vice President of UT Health RGV; Dr. Gurdial Singh, Ph.D. – Chief Executive Officer of Dozo Bioteck Inc.; Dr. Anupam Dhasmana, Ph,D. – UTRGV Assistant Research Scientist School of Medicine (SOM); and Dr. Mohammed Sikander, Ph.D. – UTRGV Assistant Research Professor School of Medicine (SOM) Department of Immunology & Microbiology

Dr. Nisa Kubiliun (left) and Dr. John Mansour (right) lead the pancreatic cancer research team at the University of Texas Southwestern’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center in Dallas.

Photo from: https://nyulangone.org/locations/pancreatic-cancer-center

The Kosten Foundation can be found online at:

http://www.kostenfoundation.com

http://www.facebook.com/kosten-foundation

http://www.twitter.com/kostenfdn

About Pancreatic Cancer:

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose, largely because there are no definitive early symptoms and standard diagnostic tests often fail to detect the disease in its earliest stages. Patients frequently report experiencing a combination of symptoms prior to diagnosis, including unintended weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal or back pain, fatigue, and jaundice. According to the American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates:

• Approximately 67,500 people in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year.
• Approximately 52,700 people in the United States will die from pancreatic cancer this year.
• Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in the United States and approximately 7% of all cancer-related deaths.
• The average lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer for both men and women is approximately 1 in 60.

About the Kosten Foundation:

The Kosten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research was founded in 2003 by the family of Herb Kosten after his death due to pancreatic cancer. Kosten’s family sought to improve community support, awareness, and funding for pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest known cancers. The organization has donated more than $3.2 million for pancreatic cancer research and hosts a very active monthly support group meeting for patients, their families, and anyone interested in learning more about pancreatic cancer. The Kosten Foundation is hosting its third annual Kick It Pickleball Tournament in May of 2026. Money raised from the Pickleball Tournament helps fund pancreatic cancer research. For more information about the Kosten Foundation, its programs, and events, visit the website at kostenfoundation.com.