The inaugural Stephenson Global Prize has been awarded to Dr Frank McCormick for his groundbreaking discoveries into pancreatic cancer. 

The Stephenson Global Prize, presented for the first time in Boston, Massachusetts, was established to reward visionary researchers with resources to accelerate discoveries that could change the trajectory of pancreatic cancer. 

Dr Frank McCormick, Professor at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, was presented with a $1 million (£744,000) award for his work on the KRAS gene. McCormick uncovered how mutations in the gene, present in more than 90% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, drive tumour growth.  

“This recognition is deeply meaningful,” said McCormick. “Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging diseases we face, and I’m honoured to share this award with my lab as we continue exploring new ways to target KRAS and develop therapies that could change lives.” 

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the US and carries the lowest five-year survival rate, just 13%. Despite its devastating toll, federal funding for pancreatic cancer research has long lagged behind other major cancers. Recent shortfalls and uncertainty in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have heightened the urgent need for private philanthropy to fill this gap. 

Honouring Toni Stephenson’s legacy 

The Stephenson Global Prize is the flagship programme of the Stephenson Global Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute (SGPCRI), established through a $150 million (£112 million) philanthropic gift from A Emmet Stephenson Jr and Tessa Stephenson Brand in honour of their wife and mother, Toni Stephenson. 

 “We created the Stephenson Global Prize because too many brilliant ideas in pancreatic cancer research never get the funding they need,” said A Emmet Stephenson. “With federal resources stretched thin, philanthropy must step in to ensure that scientists like Dr McCormick have the freedom to pursue breakthroughs without barriers.” 

 Tessa Stephenson Brand added: “Every day, families are touched by this devastating disease. By supporting innovative research, we hope to accelerate discoveries that can save lives and honour Toni’s memory in a meaningful way.” 

 

Bruno Quinney, Content Team, DDW