Investing.com -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized Revolution Medicines' pill daraxonrasib for early access to patients with previously treated pancreatic cancer, the company said Friday.

The FDA's early access program permits patients with serious or life-threatening conditions to receive experimental treatments outside clinical trials before regulatory approval.

Daraxonrasib is being studied in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a form of pancreatic cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, who have already received other therapies.

In April, Revolution said daraxonrasib doubled the survival period in pancreatic cancer patients compared with chemotherapy in a late-stage trial. The announcement sent the company's shares higher.

The pill is also being evaluated in other late-stage trials for non-small cell lung cancer.

Daraxonrasib has received an FDA priority review voucher, which is designed to speed the development and review of drugs that address unmet medical needs.

Revolution Medicines said it was working to open the early access program as quickly as possible in the U.S. while ensuring access is safe and equitable.

Under FDA rules, patients and caregivers cannot apply directly to the company for access. Requests must be made by a licensed treating physician, Revolution Medicines said.