Michael Forbes has a rare, late stage lung cancer (non-smoker) that is life-threatening. He's only 55...55! His best chance at survival (absent FDA approval) is gaining access to a drug manufactured by Daiichi Sankyo, through their compassionate care program, a request the company has denied. 

Unfortunately, Michael's heartbreaking situation is not uncommon. So many families find themselves in similarly wrenching situations, knowing that a life-saving drug has been invented but is inaccessible to their loved one. Below is an open letter to Daiichi Sankyo's CEO, Ken Keller. We respectfully ask you to join us in rallying around Mike and sign this petition. You can also reach out to Keller directly (kkeller@dsi.com) to lobby for Michael's doctors to gain access. Thank you so much. 

Dear Mr. Keller, 

We are reaching out with an urgent request for you and Daiichi Sankyo to reverse your January decision to deny expanded access and/or compassionate care use of U3-1402 (patritumab deruxtecan or HER3Dxd) for Michael Forbes. This access has become a matter of life and death for Michael, and we strongly urge you to reconsider.

Michael was diagnosed in 2018 with Stage IV lung cancer (with an EGFR gene mutation). His doctors at Dana Farber have petitioned your company for compassionate use, to no avail. His wife, Alice Forbes, has been in touch with your legal department and wrote a letter further detailing his current predicament—needing this drug intervention to save his life and being denied access by Daiichi Sankyo.

On the occasion of the recent launch HER2 in Europe, you spoke to your company’s sales team and said, “We will be changing the practice of oncology and giving patients hope and time…that is our purpose.”

Our interests align perfectly, as that is exactly what we want for Michael—to give him hope and time. If Michael were your relative, friend, or colleague, surely, you would want the same for him, too. He is one of the best people you’ll ever meet—a military vet, former medic, pharmacist and all-around generous soul. He is giving and service-oriented to his core. And now he needs our help—help that you have the power to grant.

We understand that your company is not legally required to grant him access. However, we are talking about the preciousness of human life, not legality. This is about humaneness, compassion and doing the right thing. Your company has centered “compassion for patients” in its mission and so to that end, we are asking you to lead from the heart here. Racing against the clock, we are desperate for a miracle to give Michael the chance he deserves to live. Please make this miracle happen.

We strongly encourage you to learn about Michael’s case, reach out to him and Alice (their contact info is in the letter Alice sent), and grant him immediate expanded access / compassionate care use of HER3 DxD.

Thank you for your time and consideration.