Roche’s divarasib shows advantage in second-line KRAS G12C lung cancer at ESMO

Roche reports strong ESMO data for divarasib in KRAS G12C lung cancer

Roche presented a notable dataset at the 2026 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) meeting showing its KRAS G12C inhibitor divarasib performed well in second-line advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Reporting by Adam Feuerstein and Andrew Joseph for STAT on Oct. 26, 2026 described the Roche results as outpacing older KRAS inhibitors developed by Amgen and Bristol Myers Squibb.

The STAT piece framed the finding as a significant development for Roche, suggesting that the data could give divarasib a leading commercial position among KRAS-targeted therapies for this indication. The article appeared as part of STAT’s ESMO coverage and was published under STAT+ subscriber content.

What the STAT report says and what it leaves out

According to the STAT article, Roche’s data stood out at ESMO among presentations on KRAS-targeting treatments. The write-up specifically identifies divarasib as an inhibitor of the G12C form of KRAS and locates the results in the setting of second-line advanced NSCLC. STAT reporters compared Roche’s dataset with earlier agents from Amgen and Bristol Myers Squibb and reported that Roche’s drug outpaced those older inhibitors.

The source article did not publish detailed trial numbers or tables. Important items not reported in the STAT piece include exact response rates, progression-free survival or overall survival data, the size of the trial population, details of the study design, adverse-event profiles, comparator arms, statistical analyses, or any regulatory filings or timelines. STAT’s coverage indicates the remainder of the story and the full dataset are part of the outlet’s subscriber content.

Why this matters for patients and the KRAS inhibitor field

KRAS G12C has been a high-profile target in oncology because mutations in KRAS can drive tumor growth in a subset of lung cancers. Therapies that inhibit the G12C mutant form of KRAS have already reached the clinic and shifted treatment options for patients with that specific genetic alteration.

By reporting that divarasib outpaced earlier inhibitors from Amgen and Bristol Myers Squibb at ESMO, STAT suggests Roche’s compound may offer competitive clinical advantages. If larger or confirmatory datasets reproduce these early findings, divarasib could become a prominent option in the second-line NSCLC setting. The article characterizes the result as a “win” for Roche and says the data could give the drug a prime market position — though STAT did not publish the underlying efficacy or safety metrics needed to evaluate that claim independently.

Competitive context: other KRAS G12C inhibitors

STAT’s report situates divarasib in direct comparison to earlier KRAS G12C inhibitors from Amgen and Bristol Myers Squibb. The source article does not name specific agents by Amgen or Bristol Myers Squibb, nor does it provide comparative efficacy or safety statistics. The broader clinical landscape includes multiple companies that have developed or are developing agents targeting the KRAS G12C mutation, and head-to-head performance or differentiating safety profiles can shape both prescribing patterns and market share.

Limitations of the available reporting

The STAT article is a summary of ESMO coverage and is partly behind a STAT+ subscription barrier. Because full trial details were not included in the publicly available portion of the piece, several critical facts remain unreported in the source: numeric efficacy outcomes, duration of follow-up, adverse-event rates, patient eligibility criteria, geographic or regulatory details, and whether the data represent a randomized comparison or a single-arm study.

Readers should note that the STAT report provides a high-level take on the Roche presentation and competitive implications but does not supply the complete clinical dataset or regulatory context necessary to judge clinical significance or next steps.

What to watch next

The STAT story implies that Roche’s divarasib may be in a favorable position based on the ESMO presentation, but the source does not describe Roche’s plans for regulatory submissions, additional trials, or commercial launch timing. Observers and clinicians will likely look for full data releases, peer-reviewed manuscripts, or updates from Roche that include comprehensive efficacy and safety tables, longer follow-up, and clarity on study design.

Further information that would clarify divarasib’s standing relative to competitors includes:

• Detailed response rates and survival outcomes
• Safety and tolerability data, including frequency and severity of adverse events
• Trial design specifics (randomized vs. single-arm, control arms, stratification)
• Size and demographics of the treated population
• Roche’s regulatory strategy and any planned approval filings

None of those specifics were provided in the STAT source article.

Bottom line

STAT’s ESMO coverage on Oct. 26, 2026 reports that Roche’s divarasib, a KRAS G12C inhibitor, produced an impressive dataset in second-line advanced non-small cell lung cancer, appearing to outperform earlier KRAS inhibitors from Amgen and Bristol Myers Squibb. The article frames the results as potentially positioning divarasib strongly in the market, but detailed trial results and regulatory information were not included in the source. For a full assessment, readers will need to consult the complete data release or follow subsequent publications and company statements.