Memorial Cancer Institute is the first cancer program in Broward County, FL to obtain daraxonrasib, a drug representing one of the most significant breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer treatment in decades.

Memorial’s physicians, research professionals, pharmacists, regulatory specialists, and clinical teams worked tirelessly to obtain daraxonrasib through the FDA’s Expanded Access (“compassionate use”) program, providing patients access to this promising investigational therapy before it is commercially available.

While investigational therapies continue to be studied and individual outcomes cannot be guaranteed, Expanded Access offers patients and families renewed hope when conventional treatments are no longer effective.

This milestone reinforces Memorial Cancer Institute’s commitment to ensuring South Florida patients have access to the newest and most promising cancer therapies as early as possible.

The effort was led by Jesus Fabregas, MD, director of Memorial Cancer Institute’s Gastrointestinal (GI) Malignancy Research Program, together with an expert multidisciplinary team dedicated to identifying every possible treatment opportunity for patients.

“Whatever medicine we came up with wouldn’t block the protein that allows cancer cells to grow out of control and now finally we’re able to grab that angiogenic protein and shut it down,” said Fabregas. “It’s not a cure, but it’s a big step for humanity. Patients live longer, have a better quality of life, less pain, and more happy times with family and friends”.

Russell Reed was diagnosed with Stage 2B pancreatic cancer in 2024 after returning home from vacation and experiencing persistent pain in his side. Following surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, he became the first patient at Memorial Cancer Institute to receive daraxonrasib through the FDA’s Expanded Access program in July 2026, offering renewed hope after conventional treatment options had been exhausted.

“The hope is, and the anecdotal evidence out of all this is, that when it shrinks the tumors, the pain will go away, and I have noticed a slight decrease so far,” said Russell.

According to Revolution Medicines, the manufacturer of the drug, in a 500-patient trial, the average patient lived 13 months compared to 6.6 months on chemotherapy.

Memorial Cancer Institute remains committed to advancing cancer care through clinical trials, groundbreaking research, and innovative treatment pathways so patients can receive world-class care close to home.