STAT+: For pancreatic cancer patients, an exciting drug can feel out of reach

Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanJune 4, 2026 Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Amy Johnston is distraught and readily admits that she is “grasping at straws.” Diagnosed last year with pancreatic cancer, she has had chemotherapy and surgery and is now enrolled in a clinical trial hoping to delay progression of the disease. By the end of this month, she expects to know if the treatment is working; if it’s doesn’t, she and her physician plan to seek access to another drug that, while still technically experimental, is causing a sensation.Advertisement The drug, called daraxonrasib and developed by Revolution Medicines, nearly doubled overall survival time in pancreatic cancer patients in a clinical trial. It is now being offered through an expanded access program, which allows critically ill people to receive an experimental medicine outside of such a study. But for Johnston and other patients, the excitement has come with anxiety. On one hand, there is optimism that the treatment — expected to be approved as a second-line therapy — can prolong their lives. Yet there is so much interest and demand that patients are trepidatious about when they might get the drug or if there will be enough to go around. “This is such a small company, and I worry their production is not able to keep up with the need,” said Johnston, a 35-year-old office administrator and mother of three young children who lives in Gilbertsville, Pa. “Who receives it first? Will it be for those who the drug is the last resort? It’s a good idea, but how early can you get it to people? STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In biotechnology, Cancer, Pharmaceuticals, Policy, public health, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Recommended Pharmalot June 4, 2026 STAT Plus: Supreme Court backs generic drugmaker in ‘skinny labeling’ case Pharmalot June 4, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about fewer pharma investments in Germany, growing U.S. layoffs, and more Advertisement Pharmalot June 3, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about GLP-1 drugs and knees, FDA cell and gene therapy guidance, and more Pharmalot June 2, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Lilly threat to 340B hospitals, Ebola vaccine funding, and more Pharmalot June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Eli Lilly warns hospitals to submit claims data in the next five days or lose their 340B drug discounts Subscriber Picks