Revolution Medicines won the 2026 Gizmodo Science Fair for developing Rasonque, known generically as daraxonrasib, marking the first approved cancer drug designed to target RAS mutations directly. In a large-scale clinical trial of 500 metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients, participants receiving daraxonrasib achieved a median survival of 13.2 months compared to 6.7 months for those on standard chemotherapy.
Clinical Trial Results for Daraxonrasib in Pancreatic Cancer
Metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma carries a five-year survival rate of just 3% and historically lacks effective targeted therapies. In the trial, patients taking daraxonrasib lived twice as long as the control group and experienced delayed cancer progression. The medication proved relatively well-tolerated, with an approximate 1% discontinuation rate due to side effects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Rasonque in late August for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who have tried at least one prior systemic therapy or who cannot receive multiagent systemic therapy.
Overcoming Decades of Obstacles Targeting RAS
Jan Smith, chief scientific officer at Revolution Medicines, explained that the company initially formed in 2014 as a natural product chemistry firm targeting infections before pivoting to oncology. Researchers initially focused on inhibiting SHP2, an enzyme transmitting growth signals to RAS proteins. When their candidate unexpectedly shrunk tumors fueled by RAS mutations, the team shifted focus to the RAS proteins themselves. “This observation led us to the realization that we had ‘a tiger by the tail’ and needed to go after RAS itself,” Smith said. “Despite RAS being the first genetic driver of human cancer ever discovered, RAS-driven cancers have defied targeted treatment approaches for decades, making RAS truly the holy grail target of oncology.”
Mechanism of Action for RAS(ON) Inhibitors
Daraxonrasib is the first approved member of the RAS(ON) inhibitor drug class. Cancer-causing mutations lock RAS proteins in an active “ON” state that continuously drives cell growth. The drug binds to these mutant proteins to block their activity. “These inhibitors harness a naturally occurring protein in cells to create a complex with a precisely engineered, large surface area that establishes a molecular foothold on the smooth, featureless surface of RAS(ON), enabling direct inhibition of RAS in its oncogenic state,” Smith explained.
Ongoing Trials and Pipeline Expansion
Around 90% of pancreatic cancers feature RAS mutations, alongside roughly 50% of colorectal cancers and one-third of lung adenocarcinomas. Revolution Medicines has initiated a Phase III trial testing daraxonrasib as a frontline treatment for metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. While not a cure—since some patients do not respond initially and others eventually develop resistance—the drug offers a new therapeutic avenue. The company currently has eight Phase III trials completed, active, or planned through the end of 2026, targeting non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors alongside mutant-selective approaches.
Research Milestones and Patient Impact
Revolution Medicines advanced its tri-complex inhibitor platform following its 2018 acquisition of Warp Drive Bio. The company reports that its internal staff combines expertise in chemical biology, cancer biology, structure-based drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, translational research, and clinical oncology. More than 2,500 cancer patients have volunteered to receive one of the company’s RAS(ON) inhibitors in clinical evaluations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daraxonrasib
What is daraxonrasib?
Daraxonrasib, marketed as Rasonque, is the first approved RAS(ON) inhibitor designed to directly target a broad range of cancer-fueling RAS mutations.
Who is eligible for Rasonque?
The FDA approved Rasonque for patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who have previously undergone at least one systemic therapy or who cannot receive multiagent systemic therapy.
Is daraxonrasib a cure for pancreatic cancer?
No. While clinical trial participants lived a median of 13.2 months compared to 6.7 months on chemotherapy, the cancer can still adapt to the treatment over time.
What other cancers involve RAS mutations?
In addition to roughly 90% of pancreatic cancers, RAS mutations drive up to 50% of colorectal cancers and about one-third of lung adenocarcinomas.
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