‘Pharma Bro’ Martin Shkreli Defends Revolution Medicines’ Pancreatic Cancer Study Data: ‘Progress Compounds’

• Revolution said on Monday that its late-stage trial evaluating its experimental cancer drug daraxonrasib in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, who had been previously treated, demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival.
• Patients treated with the drug lived a median of 13.2 months, compared with 6.7 months for those on chemotherapy.
• Shkreli defended Revolution’s data, saying that it is with repeated targeting of different disease pathways that “real long-term outcome shift” is achieved.

Former hedge fund manager and pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli on Tuesday defended Revolution Medicine’s (RVMD) positive data in patients with pancreatic cancer, highlighting that while the company’s experimental drug does not ensure zero deaths, prolonging life span is still progress.

“...no one is trying to make half a medicine. when you make a molecule you're giving it your all. you don't dial it down and say 'well, 6 months is enough' as if anyone sets this kind of goal. (it's not even scientifically possible). you make it and see what you get,” Shkreli said in a post on X.

He was responding to an X user who opined that the goal in cancer drug development should be “zero deaths” while alleging that focus on early detection and prevention remains neglected in drug development. The user also dismissed Revolution Medicine’s data, saying that prolonging life by a few months does not “move the needle.”

Revolution’s Study Takeaways

Revolution said on Monday that its late-stage trial evaluating its experimental cancer drug daraxonrasib in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, who had been previously treated, demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival and overall survival compared with standard chemotherapy.

Patients treated with the drug lived a median of 13.2 months, compared with 6.7 months for those on chemotherapy, highlighting a meaningful benefit. The treatment was also generally well tolerated, with no new safety concerns reported, the company said. RBC Capital now sees daraxonrasib in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma as a "game-changer."

RVMD stock closed 8% higher on Tuesday, marking its third consecutive day closing in the green. 

Shkreli Responds

Shkreli, widely nicknamed ‘pharma bro,’ said on Tuesday that progress is gradual in drug development. Progress compounds, he said.  

“Somewhat invariably, there is no 'cure' lurking that you missed,” he wrote, while also noting that it is with repeated targeting of different disease pathways that “real long-term outcome shift” is achieved.

How Did Retail Traders React?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around RVMD stayed within the ‘extremely bullish’ territory over the past 24 hours, while message volume remained at ‘extremely high’ levels.

RVMD stock has gained about 303% over the past 12 months. 

Read More: ASTS Stock Declines Sharply On Amazon-Globalstar Deal Concerns: Retail Says It Is ‘Oversold’

For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.