Merck and Moderna announced positive initial results from their experimental personalized cancer vaccine during its first late-stage trial, which involved over 1,100 patients with advanced melanoma. The mRNA-based vaccine, when combined with Merck's existing immunotherapy Keytruda, significantly extended the time patients lived without cancer recurrence and reduced the risk of metastasis.
Following the announcement, Merck's shares rose over 1% in premarket trading, while Moderna's stock surged more than 10%. The trial's success builds on earlier positive phase two data and suggests that this combination could become a new treatment option for melanoma, a type of skin cancer that, despite being relatively rare, is responsible for a majority of skin cancer deaths. Dr.
Jane Healy, Merck's head of oncology early development, expressed excitement over the clinically meaningful improvements observed compared to Keytruda alone. The personalized approach of the vaccine targets specific mutations in each patient's tumor, which may enhance the immune response against cancer.
Analysts view the phase three results as critical for Moderna's stock valuation, which already reflects expectations for the vaccine's potential across various cancer types. The companies are also exploring the vaccine's efficacy in other cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer and bladder cancer