FDA approves first-of-its-kind pancreatic cancer drug, nearly doubling survival in trial

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved a groundbreaking new drug for advanced pancreatic cancer, offering U.S. patients a more effective treatment against one of the deadliest types of cancer AP News.

FDA officials granted expedited approval to the first-of-a-kind pill, called daraxonrasib, which blocks a mutated protein that fuels tumour growth in more than 90% of pancreatic cancer cases. The approach had previously eluded drugmakers for decades. The daily pills will be sold by Revolution Medicines under the brand name Rasonque, at approximately $39,800 per month.

Patients taking the drug nearly doubled their survival time with fewer severe side effects in a company-funded study that randomly assigned 500 participants with metastatic cancer no longer responding to prior treatment to receive either the experimental drug or chemotherapy. Those receiving the new treatment lived for a median of 13.2 months compared with 6.7 months for chemotherapy recipients. Side effects included skin rash, mouth sores, and diarrhoea AP News.

"This is one of the most anticipated approvals I can think of," said Dr. Andrew Coveler of the Fred Hutch Cancer Center. "This medicine is not a cure but a significant improvement." AP News

Pancreatic cancer is among the most deadly forms of cancer in large part because it is difficult to detect before it spreads to other organs. The American Cancer Society estimates about 67,000 new cases will be diagnosed in the United States this year and more than 52,000 people will die from the disease. The five-year overall survival rate is 13% AP News.

The drug garnered public attention earlier in 2026 when former Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska described on CBS' "60 Minutes" how he experienced less pain while taking it. A surge in public interest led the FDA to grant "expanded access" to eligible patients before official approval AP News.

**Sources:** Associated Press