The Race to Develop More Medicines Like the New Pancreatic Cancer Drug
The FDA approved Rasonque (daraxonrasib), an oral multi-selective RAS(ON) inhibitor for adults with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who failed or are ineligible for one prior systemic therapy. Developed by Revolution Medicines, the drug doubled median survival rates in the RASolute 302 trial. University of Cincinnati researchers contributed the foundational work for the treatment, which targeted a gene previously considered undruggable. Early-stage data published in Nature Communications suggests combining such therapies could help patients overcome immunotherapy resistance, with one individual remaining cancer-free for more than two years.
What changed
University of Cincinnati researchers are credited with laying the groundwork for the development of Rasonque.
Live updates
-
UC Researchers Helped Develop FDA-Approved Pancreatic Cancer Drug
The FDA approved Rasonque (daraxonrasib), an oral multi-selective RAS(ON) inhibitor for adults with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who failed or are ineligible for one prior systemic therapy. Developed by Revolution Medicines, the drug doubled median survival rates in the RASolute 302 trial. University of Cincinnati researchers contributed the foundational work for the treatment, which targeted a gene previously considered undruggable. Early-stage data published in Nature Communications suggests combining such therapies could help patients overcome immunotherapy resistance, with one individual remaining cancer-free for more than two years.
Why it matters
Pancreatic cancer has long lacked effective targeted therapies due to the difficulty of inhibiting specific genetic mutations. Rasonque's approval follows a national priority voucher filing that accelerated the process by five weeks. This development marks a shift in treating metastatic adenocarcinoma by successfully targeting the RAS gene.
What is confirmed
- The FDA approved Rasonque (daraxonrasib) for adults with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who are ineligible for or have failed one prior systemic therapy.
- Rasonque doubled median survival rates in the RASolute 302 trial.
- Revolution Medicines developed Rasonque.
- University of Cincinnati researchers helped lay the groundwork for the treatment.
What to watch next
- Clinical trial results for combination therapies to overcome immunotherapy resistance
- Further data on long-term survival rates beyond the RASolute 302 trial
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (5)
- www.wcpo.com — 'This is the beginning’ | UC researchers helped tackle an ‘undruggable’ target in pancreatic cancer
- finance.yahoo.com — MassLive’s Most Influential Innovators of 2026
- jen.jiji.com — Primark, 500th store opened in Pompeii: 8 million euros invested and 150 new jobs created
- www.sandiegouniontribune.com — Paul Sisson
- www.yahoo.com — Editorial Roundup: United States
-
FDA Approves Daraxonrasib for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
The FDA approved Rasonque (daraxonrasib), an oral multi-selective RAS(ON) inhibitor, for adults with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who are ineligible for or have failed one prior systemic therapy. Developed by Revolution Medicines, the drug doubled median survival rates in the RASolute 302 trial. The approval occurred five weeks after the company filed using a national priority voucher. While Rasonque targets a previously undruggable gene, separate early-stage trial results published in Nature Communications suggest combination therapies may help patients overcome immunotherapy resistance, with one patient remaining cancer-free for over two years.
Why it matters
Pancreatic cancer has long been considered intractable due to limited treatment options and resistance to immunotherapy. The approval of the first broad RAS-targeted therapy represents a shift in how physicians treat metastatic cases. This development follows decades of limited progress in improving survival times for the disease.
What is confirmed
- The FDA approved daraxonrasib for adults with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who have had at least one prior systemic therapy or cannot undergo multiagent systemic therapy.
- Rasonque is an oral pill that doubled median survival rates compared to chemotherapy.
- Revolution Medicines developed Rasonque as the first broad RAS-targeted therapy cleared for metastatic pancreatic cancer.
- The FDA granted approval roughly five weeks after the filing under a national priority voucher.
Still unconfirmed
- One patient in an early-stage combination therapy trial experienced a pathologic complete response and has remained cancer-free for more than two years without further treatment.
- Revolution Medicines reached a market valuation of $47 billion with shares hitting an all-time high above $224 on August 27, 2026.
What to watch next
- Clinical trial results for combination therapies targeting immunotherapy resistance.
- Long-term survival data from patients receiving Rasonque at institutions like Dartmouth.
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (4)
- medicalxpress.com — FDA approval opens new chapter in pancreatic cancer treatment
- medicalxpress.com — New combination therapy shows promise in metastatic pancreatic cancer
- finance.yahoo.com — Revolution Medicines (RVMD) Made Pancreatic-Cancer History. At $47B Valuation, the Market Already Assumed It
- www.news-medical.net — FDA approves daraxonrasib for metastatic pancreatic cancer following landmark clinical trial led by Dana-Farber
-
FDA Approves RASONQUE for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
The FDA approved RASONQUE (daraxonrasib) on August 26, 2026, as a once-daily oral pill for pancreatic cancer. The drug doubled median survival rates compared to chemotherapy. Experts suggest the treatment could transform care for a disease long considered intractable, as it targets a gene previously viewed as undruggable. Patients at institutions including Dartmouth are among the first to receive the medication.
Why it matters
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of the disease and has remained difficult to treat for decades. This approval follows long-term research efforts to find a breakthrough for the condition.
What is confirmed
- The FDA approved RASONQUE (daraxonrasib) on August 26, 2026.
- RASONQUE is a once-daily oral pill.
- The drug doubled median survival rates compared to chemotherapy.
- The FDA announced the approval on Wednesday.
What to watch next
- Clinical data on long-term survival rates beyond the initial median doubling
- Expansion of the drug's approved use to other cancer types
- Development of additional medicines targeting the same gene pathway
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (12)
- WSJ — FDA Approves Drug for Pancreatic Cancer in Incredible Moment for Deadly Disease
- The New York Times — F.D.A. Approves Drug Poised to Transform Care for Pancreatic Cancer
- Fox News — FDA approves once-daily pill for deadly cancer after patients' survival rates nearly double
- Scientific American — U.S. approves breakthrough pancreatic cancer drug, heralding a new era for an intractable disease
- Pancreatic Cancer Action Network — FDA Approves RASONQUE™ (daraxonrasib)
- The New York Times — The Race to Develop More Medicines Like the New Pancreatic Cancer Drug
- Cleveland.com — For decades, researchers chased a breakthrough. Now it has finally arrived
- WMUR — Dartmouth patients among first to get new drug that fights pancreatic cancer
- www.today.com — FDA Approves ‘Game-Changing’ Pancreatic Cancer Drug
- www.gainesville.com — FDA approves pancreatic cancer drug Sasse credits with extending his life
- medicalxpress.com — FDA approves new treatment for hard-to-treat pancreatic cancer
- www.yahoo.com — The Drug That Finally Cracked Pancreatic Cancer’s “Undruggable” Gene