US FDA approves landmark pancreatic cancer drug Rasonque: Here's how much will it cost you

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted approval to a revolutionary new drug for advanced pancreatic cancer, Rasonque (daraxonrasib). This first-of-its-kind pill targets a mutated protein that fuels tumor growth in over 90% of pancreatic cancer cases. The daily pills, manufactured by Revolution Medicines, will be sold under the brand name Rasonque.

A one-month supply is estimated to cost around $39,800. The drug, taken once daily, has shown promising results, nearly doubling patient survival time and causing fewer severe side effects than chemotherapy. A recent study involved 500 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who had stopped responding to prior treatment, with the experimental treatment proving to be more effective.

Common side effects include rash, diarrhea, mouth inflammation, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, abdominal pain, swelling, decreased appetite, and bleeding. Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to detect early, making it one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with approximately 67,000 new cases diagnosed in the U.S. this year and over 52,000 deaths.

The drug received expanded access from the FDA before official approval, with acting commissioner Kyle Diamantas praising the agency for approving the drug ahead of schedule. The new drug's success may encourage more companies to explore similar approaches for treating other forms of cancer.