Moderna and Merck Announce Positive Phase 3 Results for mRNA Skin Cancer Vaccine

Science

USA

Pharmaceutical companies Moderna and Merck reported positive Phase 3 clinical trial results for their personalized mRNA cancer vaccine combined with immunotherapy, showing improved outcomes for advanced melanoma patients.

Key points

  • The experimental treatment, called intismeran autogene, marks the first positive Phase 3 trial result for an individualized neoantigen and mRNA-based cancer therapy.
  • The therapy was tested in combination with Merck's immunotherapy drug Keytruda in a study involving over 1,100 patients.
  • Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel and Merck representatives noted the treatment significantly improved recurrence-free survival and delayed distant metastasis after surgery.
  • Following the announcement, Moderna's stock surged significantly while Merck shares also saw gains on the stock market.

Why it matters

This milestone represents a major breakthrough in oncology, demonstrating the first successful late-stage trial for a personalized messenger ribonucleic acid cancer therapy aimed at preventing melanoma recurrence.

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