This is an exciting time for pancreatic cancer research, with advances in immunotherapy, genomic sequencing and druggable targets. What the next 10 years may look like for pancreatic cancer research is discussed by Derek Grose, MBChB, MRCP, FRCR, MD of the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow at the British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) 20th Annual Symposium 2017 in Glasgow, UK. In particular, he discusses the need for improving and speeding up clinical trials for this patient group moving forwards.