Revolution Medicines recently made history with the approval of its RAS inhibitor Rasonque for advanced pancreatic cancer. But behind RevMed is an entire field of biotechs working to broaden the reach of RAS-targeting drugs.

In this week’s episode of “The Top Line,” Fierce Biotech’s Darren Incorvaia sits down with Verastem Oncology CEO Dan Paterson and Chief Scientific Officer Jonathan Pachter, Ph.D., to discuss the significance of Revolution Medicines’ recent pancreatic cancer approval, Verastem’s work in the RAS-targeting space and how the company is trying to improve on existing approaches.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 


FDA greenlights Revolution Medicines' pancreatic cancer gamechanger 


As RevMed preps for ‘historic’ pancreatic cancer launch, questions linger on the ground 


ASCO: Revolution Medicines confident in RAS leadership as rivals square up 


AACR: Revolution sees pancreatic cancer win as 'tip of the iceberg' as RAS wave rises 


Fierce 50 of 2026: Breakthrough honoree Verastem Oncology


Fierce 50 of 2026: Breakthrough honoree Revolution Medicines 

Revolution Medicines recently made history with the approval of its RAS inhibitor Rasonque for advanced pancreatic cancer. But behind RevMed is an entire field of biotechs working to broaden the reach of RAS-targeting drugs.
In this week&rsquo;s episode of &ldquo;The Top Line,&rdquo; Fierce Biotech&rsquo;s Darren Incorvaia sits down with Verastem Oncology CEO Dan Paterson and Chief Scientific Officer Jonathan Pachter, Ph.D., to discuss the significance of Revolution Medicines&rsquo; recent pancreatic cancer approval, Verastem&rsquo;s work in the RAS-targeting space and how the company is trying to improve on existing approaches.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/fda-greenlights-revolution-medicines-pancreatic-cancer-gamechanger">FDA greenlights Revolution Medicines' pancreatic cancer gamechanger</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/revmed-preps-historic-pancreatic-cancer-launch-questions-linger-ground">As RevMed preps for &lsquo;historic&rsquo; pancreatic cancer launch, questions linger on the ground</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/asco-revolution-medicines-confident-ras-leadership-rivals-square">ASCO: Revolution Medicines confident in RAS leadership as rivals square up</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/aacr-revolution-rolls-pancreatic-cancer-ras-wave-rises">AACR: Revolution sees pancreatic cancer win as 'tip of the iceberg' as RAS wave rises</a>&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/fierce-50/verastem-oncology">Fierce 50 of 2026: Breakthrough honoree Verastem Oncology</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/fierce-50/revolution-medicines">Fierce 50 of 2026: Breakthrough honoree Revolution Medicines</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech, and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We'll analyze the week's biggest business news, from mergers and marketing to drug R&D and device development. Available every Friday morning. 

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech, and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We'll analyze the week's biggest business news, from mergers and marketing to drug R&amp;D and device development. Available every Friday morning.&nbsp;

The Top Line

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We’ll analyze the week’s biggest business news—from mergers and marketing to drug R&D and device development. Available every Friday morning.

 

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We&rsquo;ll analyze the week&rsquo;s biggest business news&mdash;from mergers and marketing to drug R&amp;D and device development. Available every Friday morning.
&nbsp;

The future of RAS inhibitors

The 2026 Fierce 50 includes people and organizations working on very different problems across biopharma and healthcare, from designing new proteins and developing cancer medicines to protecting vaccine science, improving health literacy and expanding representation in medicine.

In this episode of “The Top Line,” Fierce Editor-in-Chief Ayla Ellison looks at the stories behind several of this year’s honorees, including Revolution Medicines’ work targeting RAS, the protein-design research of David Baker, Ph.D., and Michael Osterholm, Ph.D.’s, decision to put plans to step back from public health on hold. The episode also explores the work of Lisa Fitzpatrick, M.D., Hip Hop Public Health, Eric Topol, M.D., and Mary Owen, M.D., and the problems they have chosen to keep working on.

The <a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/collection/fierce-50-2026">2026 Fierce 50</a> includes people and organizations working on very different problems across biopharma and healthcare, from designing new proteins and developing cancer medicines to protecting vaccine science, improving health literacy and expanding representation in medicine.
In this episode of &ldquo;The Top Line,&rdquo; Fierce Editor-in-Chief Ayla Ellison looks at the stories behind several of this year&rsquo;s honorees, including Revolution Medicines&rsquo; work targeting RAS, the protein-design research of David Baker, Ph.D., and Michael Osterholm, Ph.D.&rsquo;s, decision to put plans to step back from public health on hold. The episode also explores the work of Lisa Fitzpatrick, M.D., Hip Hop Public Health, Eric Topol, M.D., and Mary Owen, M.D., and the problems they have chosen to keep working on.

The people who stayed with the problem

As Fierce Pharma Week approaches, the Fierce Pharma Marketing team is taking stock of some of the biggest trends reshaping how drugmakers and healthcare agencies reach audiences.

In this week’s episode of “The Top Line,” Fierce’s Ben Adams and Zoey Becker discuss how pharma marketing is evolving across social media, creative work and agency strategy. They dig into the changing approach to HIV marketing, pharma’s experiments with platforms including Snapchat, and what a collaboration with MrBeast says about the industry’s efforts to reach new audiences.

They also examine how healthcare agencies are putting AI to work, pharma’s return to the winner’s circle at Cannes and why Novo Nordisk built a maze along the River Thames in London this summer. The conversation comes as Fierce Pharma Week approaches Sept. 14-17 in Philadelphia.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
YouTuber MrBeast welcomes Amgen to the channel, kicking off pediatric cancer funding effort
Inside agency view: Real Chemistry’s Frank Mazzola on audience nuance and rewarding creativity
Snapchat creates ad format to support pharma disclosure needs
Novo Nordisk asks public to ‘Meet Me in the Middle’ in new obesity experience installation
Women’s ‘new health ecosystem’ takes shape on Reddit: report 

As Fierce Pharma Week approaches, the Fierce Pharma Marketing team is taking stock of some of the biggest trends reshaping how drugmakers and healthcare agencies reach audiences.
In this week&rsquo;s episode of &ldquo;The Top Line,&rdquo; Fierce&rsquo;s Ben Adams and Zoey Becker discuss how pharma marketing is evolving across social media, creative work and agency strategy. They dig into the changing approach to HIV marketing, pharma&rsquo;s experiments with platforms including Snapchat, and what a collaboration with MrBeast says about the industry&rsquo;s efforts to reach new audiences.
They also examine how healthcare agencies are putting AI to work, pharma&rsquo;s return to the winner&rsquo;s circle at Cannes and why Novo Nordisk built a maze along the River Thames in London this summer. The conversation comes as Fierce Pharma Week approaches Sept. 14-17 in Philadelphia.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/youtuber-mrbeast-welcomes-amgen-channel-research-awareness-video-kicking-pediatric-cancer" data-processed-url="true">YouTuber MrBeast welcomes Amgen to the channel, kicking off pediatric cancer funding effort</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/inside-agency-view-real-chemistrys-frank-mazzola-audience-nuance-and-rewarding-creativity" data-processed-url="true">Inside agency view: Real Chemistry&rsquo;s Frank Mazzola on audience nuance and rewarding creativity</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/snapchat-creates-ad-format-support-pharma-disclosure-needs" data-processed-url="true">Snapchat creates ad format to support pharma disclosure needs</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/novo-nordisk-asks-public-meet-me-middle-new-obesity-experience-installation" data-processed-url="true">Novo Nordisk asks public to &lsquo;Meet Me in the Middle&rsquo; in new obesity experience installation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/womens-new-health-ecosystem-takes-shape-reddit-report" data-processed-url="true">Women&rsquo;s &lsquo;new health ecosystem&rsquo; takes shape on Reddit: report</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

MrBeast, Snapchat, AI and more: Pharma marketing’s pulse check

Earnings calls are a chance to catch up with the latest developments across Big Pharma and beyond, and last quarter was no different. From the rollout of AI to the oral GLP-1 battle between Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and new leadership at Sarepta and Sanofi, it feels like the opportunities and challenges for biopharma have never been greater.

In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," Fierce Pharma Senior Editor Fraiser Kansteiner and Fierce Biotech Senior Editor James Waldron share their takeaways from another whirlwind season of earnings calls. Alongside a Q2 scorecard breakdown, the Fierce editors discuss how several new CEOs are finding their footing, which drugs appear poised to cross the $1 billion sales threshold in 2026 and more.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Biopharma saw a Q2 sales boom led by Lilly, Sanofi, Regeneron and Astellas 
Sanofi’s new CEO ‘looking deeply’ at late-stage pipeline as clinical clearout continues
Novo CEO has 'no doubt' on eventual share price recovery as Wegovy pill continues to wow
Sarepta’s new CEO Michael Severino faces critical milestones to prove growth

Earnings calls are a chance to catch up with the latest developments across Big Pharma and beyond, and last quarter was no different. From the rollout of AI to the oral GLP-1 battle between Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and new leadership at Sarepta and Sanofi, it feels like the opportunities and challenges for biopharma have never been greater.
In this week&rsquo;s episode of "The Top Line," Fierce Pharma Senior Editor Fraiser Kansteiner and Fierce Biotech Senior Editor James Waldron share their takeaways from another whirlwind season of earnings calls. Alongside a Q2 scorecard breakdown, the Fierce editors discuss how several new CEOs are finding their footing, which drugs appear poised to cross the $1 billion sales threshold in 2026 and more.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/biopharma-saw-q2-sales-boom-led-lilly-sanofi-regeneron-and-astellas" data-processed-url="true">Biopharma saw a Q2 sales boom led by Lilly, Sanofi, Regeneron and Astellas</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/sanofis-new-ceo-looking-deeply-late-stage-pipeline-clinical-clearout-continues" data-processed-url="true">Sanofi&rsquo;s new CEO &lsquo;looking deeply&rsquo; at late-stage pipeline as clinical clearout continues</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/novo-ceo-has-no-doubt-eventual-share-price-correction-wegovy-pill-continues-wow" data-processed-url="true">Novo CEO has 'no doubt' on eventual share price recovery as Wegovy pill continues to wow</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/sarepta-new-ceo-michael-severino-faces-critical-tests-prove-growth" data-processed-url="true">Sarepta&rsquo;s new CEO Michael Severino faces critical milestones to prove growth</a></li>
</ul>

The future of RAS inhibitors

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