Statement from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network on the U.S. Food And Drug Administration’s Approval of Rasonque™ (daraxonrasib)

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), the leading organization dedicated to advancing progress against pancreatic cancer, released a statement today following U.S. Food and Administration's (FDA) approval of Rasonque™ (daraxonrasib) for patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who have received at least one prior systemic therapy or are not candidates for multiagent systemic therapy. 

"The FDA approval of Rasonque™ is the most significant advancement we have ever seen in the fight against pancreatic cancer. This is now considered the new standard of care for patients with previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer after clinical trial results in this population showed a doubling of survival compared to chemotherapy as well as improved quality of life for patients. This drug will transform how we treat pancreatic cancer - giving people the opportunity for more time with loved ones, the possibility of a better quality of life and assurance that continued research will deliver even greater advances," said Anna Berkenblit, M.D., MMSc, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer, PanCAN.

"We thank Revolution Medicines for its commitment to advancing science and the patients with pancreatic cancer who participated in daraxonrasib clinical trials. We applaud the FDA for moving with urgency and for their patient-centric approach to the broad label. This first FDA approval of a RAS-targeting therapy for pancreatic cancer is a landmark achievement, but it is only the beginning. Continued research - including clinical trials of next-generation RAS-targeted therapies and combination approaches - will be essential to overcoming resistance and bringing even more treatment options to patients.

"For decades, RAS was considered "undruggable," meaning that there was no effective way to target RAS. This first new targeted therapy has the potential to impact the vast majority of patients with pancreatic cancer, as RAS mutations are detected in over 90% of pancreatic cancers."

"Today's announcement represents transformational progress for people affected by pancreatic cancer and reflects what is possible when patients, researchers, clinicians, advocates, industry and government work together toward a common goal," said PanCAN President and CEO Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA. "For more than two decades, PanCAN has funded leading-edge scientists and advocated for sustained and increased federal investment in pancreatic cancer research. This milestone is the result of our collective impact and the beginning of a new era of treatments for patients with pancreatic cancer. But our work is far from over and PanCAN remains committed to accelerating progress so that survival is the expectation, not the exception."

About Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to detect and treat. It is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and is on track to become the second. With a five-year survival rate of only 13%, it remains the only major cancer whose survival rate is below 20%. Because symptoms are often vague and mimic other conditions, most patients are diagnosed in the later stages, when tumors are inoperable and treatment options are limited. Detecting the disease earlier, when surgery is possible, is critical to improving outcomes. There is no standard screening strategy for pancreatic cancer and few treatment options, highlighting the urgent need for increased funding and awareness to improve patient outcomes.

For anyone diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, contact the PanCAN Patient Services team at 310-361-0987. PanCAN's highly trained and compassionate Case Managers provide free, personal one-to-one support and information about the disease and can also find resources for any questions related to pancreatic cancer.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is the leading organization dedicated to advancing progress against pancreatic cancer. We unite the pancreatic cancer community and push every boundary to create a world where survival is the expectation - not the exception. PanCAN empowers patients and caregivers with the resources and knowledge they need to advocate for the care they deserve. We are pioneering the advancement of an early detection strategy for pancreatic cancer and revolutionizing the development of advanced and personalized treatments; and we are building and mobilizing the pancreatic cancer field to ensure better outcomes for all those who face pancreatic cancer today and all those who will fight this disease tomorrow.

For more information or to schedule an interview with a PanCAN representative, please contact:

Julie Vasquez, Senior Director, Public Relations, 310-697-9129, [email protected]