Moderna and Merck Report Positive Phase 3 Trial Results for mRNA Cancer Vaccine
Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA) and Merck & Co. (NYSE: MRK) announced positive results from a late-stage clinical trial combining an individualized neoantigen therapy with Merck’s Keytruda in treating melanoma patients who had their tumors surgically removed. The Phase 3 study showed that the combination treatment delayed cancer recurrence and spread compared to using Keytruda alone, marking the first successful Phase 3 trial for mRNA-based personalized cancer immunotherapy. The results have driven significant stock price increases: Moderna’s shares rose over 138%, while Merck's climbed nearly 1%. Analysts view this as a potential game-changer in oncology and believe it could diversify Moderna beyond its pandemic-driven revenue. The treatment may also help extend the lifecycle of Keytruda, which faces patent expiration by 2028. Both companies plan to present their findings at an upcoming international medical meeting for regulatory review.
Topics: biotech stocks cancer treatment mRNA therapy Phase 3 trial