Dr. Frank McCormick Receives Inaugural $1 Million Stephenson Global Prize for Pancreatic Cancer Research
In a landmark moment for the global cancer research community, Dr. Frank McCormick has been awarded the inaugural Stephenson Global Prize, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to the fight against pancreatic cancer. The prize, accompanied by a $1 million unrestricted award, was presented during the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Research in Boston, where scientists, clinicians, and patient advocates from around the world gathered to celebrate innovation and progress in one of the deadliest forms of cancer.
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most formidable challenges in oncology. Ranked as the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, it carries a five-year survival rate of only 13%, the lowest among all major cancers. Despite its significant toll, federal funding for pancreatic cancer research has historically lagged behind other cancer types such as breast, prostate, and lung cancer. Recent uncertainties and shortfalls in NIH funding have only intensified the urgency for private philanthropy to fill critical gaps and support high-impact, innovative research. The Stephenson Global Prize is designed precisely to meet this need—providing researchers with the financial resources and flexibility necessary to pursue bold ideas without the constraints often imposed by traditional funding structures.
The establishment of the Stephenson Global Prize was made possible by a $150 million philanthropic gift from A. Emmet Stephenson Jr. and Tessa Stephenson Brand, in honor of their late wife and mother, Toni Stephenson. This transformative gift not only created the prize but also catalyzed the launch of the Stephenson Global Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute (SGPCRI), a pioneering institution dedicated to accelerating research, treatment, and prevention strategies for pancreatic cancer.
“We created the Stephenson Global Prize because far too many brilliant ideas in pancreatic cancer research never get the funding they deserve,” 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. Innovation in this space cannot wait—it is a matter of life and death for thousands of families each year.”
Tessa Stephenson Brand added, “Every day, families are touched by this devastating disease. By fueling innovative research, we can accelerate the breakthroughs that will ultimately save lives. Our hope is that the Stephenson Global Prize becomes a catalyst for transformative change in pancreatic cancer research.”
Dr. Frank McCormick, Professor at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, was recognized for his seminal work in uncovering how mutations in the KRAS gene—found in over 90% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas—drive tumor growth. Once considered “undruggable,” KRAS mutations have long posed a formidable challenge for researchers. Dr. McCormick’s discoveries have fundamentally changed the landscape of pancreatic cancer research, opening new avenues for targeted therapies that offer hope to patients worldwide.
“This recognition is deeply meaningful,” said Dr. McCormick. “Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging diseases we face, but it is also one of the most urgent. I am honored to share this award with my lab and collaborators as we continue to explore new strategies to target KRAS and develop therapies that have the potential to significantly impact patient outcomes. Our ultimate goal is to translate scientific discovery into tangible benefits for patients and their families.”
The award presentation took place before an international audience of scientists, clinicians, and advocates dedicated to advancing research and treatment for pancreatic cancer. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation, and philanthropy in tackling one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers.
Jennifer Chun Kim, Executive Director of SGPCRI, emphasized the broader vision behind the prize: “By investing in early detection, prevention, treatment, translational research, and scientific discovery, the annual Stephenson Global Prize and Scholar Grants not only celebrate transformative achievements but also fuel hope and inspire perseverance. They remind researchers that breakthroughs are within reach and that dedicated support can accelerate progress against this devastating disease.”
Beyond the Prize: A Multi-Faceted Approach to Pancreatic Cancer Research
The Stephenson Global Prize is only one component of SGPCRI’s comprehensive strategy to advance pancreatic cancer research. In addition to the annual prize, the institute provides robust support through Stephenson Global Scholar Grants, a competitive program designed to empower investigators with funding and freedom to pursue innovative ideas. These grants aim to cut through bureaucratic barriers and foster courageous, high-risk research that has the potential to transform understanding, detection, and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
The inaugural $5.3 million round of Stephenson Global Scholar Grants has already begun to fund a diverse range of promising projects:
- Dr. Matthew Vander Heiden (MIT) is developing a multimodal platform that combines stool, blood, and CT imaging analyses to detect pancreatic cancer before clinical symptoms appear. By monitoring subtle changes in organ function and biomarkers, his approach aims to identify cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages.
- Drs. Forest White and Tyler Jacks (MIT) are leveraging mass spectrometry to identify new peptide antigens that emerge following KRAS inhibition. Their work seeks to enable novel immunotherapeutic strategies, including vaccines and bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs), linking targeted therapies with immune activation to improve treatment outcomes.
By supporting projects that span basic, translational, and clinical research, SGPCRI is creating a pipeline of innovation designed to tackle pancreatic cancer from multiple angles.
In addition to funding, SGPCRI hosts the Annual Stephenson Pancreatic Cancer Symposium, a premier event that honors prize recipients and showcases breakthroughs achieved through Scholar Grants. The symposium also provides a critical platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and networking among researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates. By uniting the global pancreatic cancer research community, the symposium fosters momentum and ensures that promising discoveries can advance as quickly as possible toward clinical application.
The Urgent Need for Innovation in Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer’s low survival rate underscores the urgent need for new approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Often diagnosed at advanced stages due to nonspecific early symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly and is notoriously resistant to conventional therapies. KRAS mutations play a central role in driving tumor growth and resistance, making Dr. McCormick’s work particularly significant. His research not only identified KRAS as a critical therapeutic target but also spurred the development of multiple novel drug candidates currently in preclinical and clinical trials.
Despite these scientific advances, pancreatic cancer research has long been underfunded compared to other major cancers. Public funding agencies face budgetary constraints, and as a result, innovative projects frequently struggle to secure the resources needed to move from concept to clinical impact. Philanthropic initiatives like the Stephenson Global Prize are therefore essential to filling this gap and enabling researchers to pursue ambitious, high-impact projects that could transform patient outcomes.
A Legacy of Philanthropy and Impact
The Stephenson family’s vision extends beyond a single award. By creating a lasting infrastructure through SGPCRI, they have established a platform that supports research across the entire spectrum—from early detection and prevention to novel therapeutic strategies. Their investment ensures that future generations of scientists will have access to the resources necessary to explore bold ideas and translate discoveries into life-saving therapies.
“We wanted to create something enduring,” said Tessa Stephenson Brand. “The hope is that the Stephenson Global Prize and the Scholar Grants program will continue to inspire innovation and ultimately help more families affected by pancreatic cancer.
