How AI Is Being Used To Detect Cancer at The Earliest Stage

Dr. Bea Bakshi, CEO & Co-Founder of C the Signs joins Bloomberg Businessweek to discuss the future of cancer detection and how AI is part of the solution even in the early stages.  Revolution Medicines Inc. soared the most in six years after its treatment for an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer boosted patients’ survival in a late-stage trial, marking a significant breakthrough in the especially deadly condition.

Patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer given Revolution’s daraxonrasib showed statistically significant improvements in a measure of tumor growth and overall survival compared to those given chemotherapy, the company said Monday. Median overall survival was 13.2 months on the experimental medicine compared to 6.7 months for chemotherapy, the current standard of care.

Revolution’s shares gained 37% when markets opened in New York on Monday, its biggest advance since February 2020.

In a note to clients, Mizuho analyst Joseph Catanzaro said the overall survival results were “remarkable” and increased the drug’s chances of being used as an initial treatment for newly diagnosed patients.

“This is by any measure a best-case outcome” for Revolution, added Jefferies analyst Faisal Khurshid.

Excitement around Revolution’s cancer drug — and the company’s status as a takeover target — has caused its stock to soar by 164% over the past year.

In January, the Wall Street Journal reported that Merck & Co. was in discussions to acquire Revolution but the talks ended after the two companies couldn’t agree on a price.

Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers, with just 13% of patients surviving five years after being diagnosed. About 67,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year and more than 52,000 people will die from the condition, according to the American Cancer Society.

Revolution’s drug gained attention this month when former US Senator Ben Sasse told the New York Times that he was taking the once-daily pill after being diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

Patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer are unlikely to be cured by any treatment, and the company’s goal is to increase lifespan and quality of life, according to Revolution Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Goldsmith.

“This will significantly elevate the survival bar in one of the deadliest human cancers,” he said about the trial results.

The company’s drug aims to block a gene called RAS that, when mutated, causes various forms of cancer.

In October, Revolution’s daraxonrasib was selected by the US Food and Drug Administration for a new voucher program that’s meant to help expedite promising medicines. The company plans to submit the data to the FDA and other global regulatory authorities for approval.

Wall Street analysts expect Revolution’s drug to generate $3 billion in annual sales by 2030 if it’s approved.

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