Dr. Vikas Dudeja, Director of the Division of Surgical Oncology at UAB, has been awarded a $9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

This prestigious funding, granted through the Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), will support his innovative research over the next five years, with funding allocated until 2030.

The grant will fuel Dudeja's pivotal clinical trial, titled "Clinical Trial Evaluating Pirfenidone as a Novel Treatment for Chronic Pancreatitis." Pirfenidone, currently used to treat idiopathic lung fibrosis—a condition similar to chronic pancreatitis due to its destructive tissue fibrosis—will now be investigated for its potential to transform the lives of individuals battling this debilitating disease.

Dudeja's exceptional work in pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer research over the last 10 years has led him to spearhead 3 clinical trials putting the UAB Department of Surgery at the forefront of addressing pancreatitis. Through his work, Dr. Dudeja aims to halt the progression of these devastating conditions.

"I owe this achievement entirely to the relentless efforts of my dedicated team," said Dr. Dudeja. "This grant brings us one step closer to developing treatments that could dramatically improve the lives of individuals battling pancreatitis, a disease that has long gone underappreciated in terms of effective treatment options."

With this CDMRP-supported initiative, Dr. Dudeja and his team remain steadfast in their commitment to pioneering new strategies and treatment avenues that may redefine the future of chronic pancreatitis care. Their work continues to enhance UAB’s legacy as a global leader in patient-centered research.