Revolution Medicines drug nearly doubles survival in pancreatic cancer trial

Monday 13 April 2026 - 15:00

By: Dakir Madiha

Revolution Medicines drug nearly doubles survival in pancreatic cancer trial

Revolution Medicines announced Monday that its oral anticancer drug daraxonrasib almost doubled overall survival for patients with previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer compared to standard intravenous chemotherapy. The results sent the company's stock up more than 30 percent in premarket trading. In the phase 3 RASolute 302 trial, patients taking the daily tablet achieved a median overall survival of 13.2 months versus 6.7 months for chemotherapy.

The trial compared daraxonrasib monotherapy to physician's choice chemotherapy in about 500 patients worldwide with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma harboring RAS G12X mutations. The drug delivered a hazard ratio of 0.40 for overall survival, with a p-value below 0.0001 in the intent-to-treat population. It also showed statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival, the other primary endpoint. Revolution Medicines reported the drug was generally well tolerated, with no new safety signals emerging.

These interim results from the first analysis are considered definitive for both survival measures. The company, based in Redwood City, California, plans regulatory submissions worldwide, including a New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Daraxonrasib already holds Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA for this indication, granted in June 2025 after promising phase 1 data.

Phase 1 results had shown a median overall survival of 13.1 months in second-line pancreatic cancer patients with RAS G12X mutations, far exceeding the typical 6 to 7 months with standard chemotherapy. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma ranks among the deadliest cancers, driven by RAS mutations in nearly all cases. Unlike first-generation anti-RAS drugs that target inactive single mutations, daraxonrasib blocks the activated state of multiple RAS variants, offering broader efficacy.

Revolution Medicines now runs four global phase 3 trials of daraxonrasib: three in pancreatic cancer, including the frontline RASolute 303 trial that dosed its first patient this month, and the adjuvant RASolute 304 trial that randomized its first patient in December 2025. One trial targets non-small cell lung cancer. The company will present nine pipeline updates at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting in San Diego later this week.

Recent reports in January suggested Merck was negotiating an acquisition of Revolution Medicines valued at $28 to $32 billion, drawing investor focus. Monday's data mark some of the most striking survival gains ever seen in second-line pancreatic cancer, likely heightening interest from regulators and potential buyers alike. This advance could reshape treatment for a disease with few options beyond chemotherapy, addressing an unmet need in one of oncology's toughest challenges.