Rucaparib (Rubraca™) is an oral, small molecule, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 
inhibitor being developed by Clovis Oncology, Inc. (Boulder, CO, USA) for the 
treatment of solid tumours. It has been approved in the USA as monotherapy for 
the treatment of patients with deleterious BRCA mutation (germline and/or 
somatic) associated advanced ovarian cancer who have been treated with two or 
more chemotherapies. A marketing authorization application for rucaparib for the 
same indication has been submitted to the European Medicines Agency. Rucaparib 
is also under phase II or III investigation in ovarian, breast and prostate 
cancer. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of rucaparib 
leading to this first approval for ovarian cancer.