What is KRAS and Why Does It Matter?
KRAS (Kirsten RAS) is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes in human cancer — present in approximately 25% of all malignancies. In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), KRAS mutations exceed 90%. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), KRAS mutations are found in ~25% of cases (predominantly G12C and G12D). In colorectal cancer, KRAS mutations occur in ~35-40% of cases.
For four decades, KRAS was considered "undruggable" — its smooth protein surface offered no obvious binding pocket for small molecules. The 2013 discovery of an allosteric binding pocket near the switch II region, combined with covalent chemistry targeting the G12C cysteine mutation, finally unlocked KRAS as a therapeutic target. Sotorasib became the first approved KRAS inhibitor in May 2021.
Approved KRAS Inhibitors
Sotorasib (Lumakras)
Amgen. FDA-approved May 2021 (NSCLC). KRAS G12C-selective, covalent. Second-line NSCLC; Phase 3 data in colorectal cancer (CodeBreaK 300).
Adagrasib (Krazati)
Mirati / Bristol-Myers Squibb. FDA-approved December 2022 (NSCLC). KRAS G12C-selective, covalent. Additional approval 2024: CRC + cetuximab.
Current KRAS Inhibitor Landscape (2026)
The KRAS field has evolved rapidly from single-agent G12C inhibitors to combination strategies, next-generation G12C agents, and entirely new target approaches (G12D, G12V, pan-KRAS, SOS1 inhibition). The major axes of current development:
KRAS G12C — Second-Generation and Combinations
First-generation single-agent response rates in NSCLC (sotorasib: ~37%, adagrasib: ~43%) highlighted the need for combinations to overcome adaptive resistance. Current Phase 3 programs pair KRAS G12C inhibitors with PD-(L)1 checkpoint blockade, chemotherapy, or anti-EGFR antibodies to address the RAS pathway reactivation that limits monotherapy durability.
- Olomorasib (LY3537982, Eli Lilly/Loxo) — next-gen G12C inhibitor with superior potency. Phase 3 vs. standard chemo-IO in first-line KRAS G12C NSCLC (NCT06119581) and in combination with standard of care (NCT06890598).
- Divarasib (GDC-6036, Roche/Genentech) — Phase 3 vs. docetaxel in second-line NSCLC (NCT06497556) and in combination with cetuximab in colorectal cancer (NCT06793215).
- Calderasib (MK-1084, Merck) — Phase 3 with pembrolizumab in resected NSCLC adjuvant setting (NCT07431827) and first-line combination (NCT06345729).
- Adagrasib (Krazati, Mirati/BMS) — Phase 3 + pembrolizumab + chemotherapy first-line NSCLC (NCT06875310).
KRAS G12C — Colorectal Cancer
Unlike NSCLC, KRAS G12C colorectal cancer (CRC) shows poor single-agent response due to EGFR-driven adaptive feedback. Combining KRAS G12C inhibitors with anti-EGFR antibodies (cetuximab, panitumumab) has demonstrated meaningful activity — the combination is now being validated in Phase 3:
- Sotorasib + panitumumab (Amgen) — Phase 3 vs. standard second-line therapy in KRAS G12C CRC (NCT05198934, NCT06252649).
- Divarasib + cetuximab (Roche) — Phase 3 (NCT06793215).
- Amivantamab + FOLFIRI (Janssen) — amivantamab targets EGFR/MET; Phase 3 in KRAS-mutant CRC including G12C (NCT06662786, NCT06750094).
Pan-KRAS and Multi-Mutation Inhibitors
Revolution Medicines is leading the development of pan-RAS inhibitors that target multiple KRAS mutations simultaneously — including G12D, the dominant mutation in pancreatic cancer:
- RMC-6236 (Revolution Medicines) — pan-RAS(ON) inhibitor targeting multiple KRAS/HRAS/NRAS mutations. Phase 1/2 in PDAC and NSCLC. Expected to enter Phase 3 in pancreatic cancer.
- RMC-9805 (Revolution Medicines) — KRAS G12D-selective. Phase 1 in KRAS G12D-mutant solid tumors, particularly PDAC.
- D-1553 + IN10018 (InxMed) — combination of a KRAS G12C inhibitor (D-1553) with a FAK inhibitor (IN10018). Phase 3 in NSCLC (NCT07174908).
SOS1 Inhibitors — Upstream RAS Pathway
SOS1 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that activates RAS by exchanging GDP for GTP. Blocking SOS1 reduces KRAS activation upstream — and importantly, can complement direct KRAS inhibitors by blocking the adaptive re-activation that drives resistance:
- BI-3406 / BI 1701963 (Boehringer Ingelheim) — SOS1::KRAS interaction inhibitor in combination with MEK inhibitor trametinib. Phase 1/2 in KRAS-mutant solid tumors.
- BAY3498264 (Bayer) — SOS1 inhibitor in combination with sotorasib. Phase 1 (NCT-sotorasib + BAY3498264).
Key Phase 3 KRAS Inhibitor Trials (2026)
| NCT ID | Phase | Drug | Sponsor | Indication | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT06119581 | Phase 3 | Olomorasib + pembrolizumab | Eli Lilly | 1L KRAS G12C NSCLC | Recruiting |
| NCT06875310 | Phase 3 | Adagrasib + pembro + chemo | Mirati/BMS | 1L KRAS G12C NSCLC | Recruiting |
| NCT06345729 | Phase 3 | Calderasib (MK-1084) + pembro | Merck MSD | 1L KRAS G12C NSCLC | Recruiting |
| NCT06497556 | Phase 3 | Divarasib vs. docetaxel | Roche | 2L KRAS G12C NSCLC | Active NR |
| NCT06793215 | Phase 3 | Divarasib + cetuximab | Roche | KRAS G12C CRC | Recruiting |
| NCT05198934 | Phase 3 | Sotorasib + panitumumab | Amgen | KRAS G12C CRC (2L+) | Recruiting |
| NCT06252649 | Phase 3 | Sotorasib + pani + FOLFIRI | Amgen | KRAS G12C CRC (2L) | Recruiting |
| NCT06662786 | Phase 3 | Amivantamab + mFOLFOX6/FOLFIRI | Janssen | KRAS-mutant CRC | Recruiting |
| NCT04613596 | Phase 2/3 | Adagrasib mono + combo | Mirati/BMS | Advanced KRAS G12C NSCLC | Recruiting |
| NCT07431827 | Phase 3 | Calderasib (MK-1084) + pembro (adjuvant) | Merck MSD | Resected KRAS G12C NSCLC | Recruiting |
Monitor KRAS Inhibitor Trials Daily
DataLookout tracks new registrations, enrollment openings, and protocol updates for every KRAS trial on ClinicalTrials.gov. Set a compound or sponsor watchlist and receive dashboard monitoring.
Start Free Trial →The KRAS Inhibitor Competitive Landscape by Indication
NSCLC (Lung Cancer) — 38+ Active Trials
NSCLC is the primary battleground for KRAS inhibition. KRAS G12C mutations occur in ~13% of all NSCLC — a large addressable population in one of oncology's biggest markets. The competitive dynamic in 2026 is: which KRAS G12C inhibitor (with which combination partner) will become standard first-line therapy? Olomorasib (Eli Lilly), divarasib (Roche), and calderasib (Merck) are all competing to displace adagrasib and sotorasib in earlier lines of therapy. The key differentiating data points will come from first-line combination trials — results expected 2026-2027.
Colorectal Cancer — 14+ Active Trials
KRAS G12C colorectal cancer has a narrow but well-defined opportunity. Anti-EGFR combinations (sotorasib + panitumumab, adagrasib + cetuximab) have demonstrated meaningful activity where monotherapy failed. The CodeBreaK 300 data from Amgen established sotorasib + panitumumab as an active regimen. Phase 3 confirmatory trials are now running for multiple combinations. Amivantamab (bispecific EGFR/MET antibody from Janssen) provides an alternative approach targeting the same EGFR feedback mechanism.
Pancreatic Cancer (PDAC) — 10+ Active Trials
PDAC is the highest-stakes battleground for non-G12C KRAS inhibition. KRAS mutations drive ~90% of PDAC cases, predominantly G12D (~45%) and G12V (~30%). No approved KRAS-targeted therapy exists for PDAC. Revolution Medicines' RMC-6236 (pan-RAS) and RMC-9805 (KRAS G12D) are the leading programs, with Phase 2/3 expansion anticipated in 2026. If pan-KRAS inhibition works in PDAC, it would be a transformative advance in a disease with a 5-year survival rate below 13%.
Generation-by-Generation: KRAS Inhibitor Evolution
1st Generation G12C (2021–2023)
Sotorasib, adagrasib. Covalent KRAS G12C inhibitors. Approved in NSCLC; limited by adaptive resistance and poor CRC monotherapy activity.
2nd Generation G12C (2024–2026)
Olomorasib, divarasib, calderasib. Improved potency/CNS penetration. Moving into first-line combinations — the Phase 3 battleground of 2026.
Pan-KRAS / G12D Inhibitors
RMC-6236, RMC-9805 (Revolution Medicines). Target multiple KRAS mutations including G12D — opening PDAC and broader RAS-mutant populations.
SOS1 / Combination Approaches
BI-3406, BAY3498264 target upstream RAS activators. Combined with KRAS inhibitors to block adaptive resistance. Earlier clinical stage.
Key Sponsors in KRAS Inhibitor Development
Amgen
Pioneer. Sotorasib (approved). 7 active trials including Phase 3 CRC and NSCLC combinations. CodeBreaK program.
Mirati Therapeutics / BMS
Adagrasib (approved). 5 active trials. KRYSTAL program — expanding into first-line NSCLC combinations and KRAS G12D (MRTX1133).
Eli Lilly / Loxo Oncology
Olomorasib (LY3537982) — next-generation G12C with Phase 3 first-line NSCLC programs. 6 active trials.
Roche / Genentech
Divarasib (GDC-6036) — Phase 3 in NSCLC and CRC. 3 active trials including MORPHEUS combination studies.
Merck MSD
Calderasib (MK-1084) — Phase 3 with pembrolizumab in NSCLC adjuvant and first-line settings. 4 active trials.
Revolution Medicines
Pan-KRAS (RMC-6236) and KRAS G12D (RMC-9805). The key programs for PDAC and non-G12C mutations. 4 active trials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stay Ahead of the KRAS Inhibitor Field
DataLookout monitors every KRAS inhibitor trial — new registrations, status changes, site expansions, and protocol amendments — and delivers dashboard monitoring. Used by pharma BD, clinical operations, and competitive intelligence teams.
Start Tracking Free →