- Moderna shares jumped 17% and Merck rose 12% after the Phase 3 melanoma trial data were released.
- The Phase 3 trial enrolled 1,137 patients who had undergone surgery for advanced melanoma and compared the personalized mRNA vaccine plus Keytruda against Keytruda alone.
- Pre-planned interim results showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in cancer-free survival and prevention of distant metastasis.
- The companies plan to present detailed data to the medical community and submit the therapy to global regulators for approval.
- Trials are expanding the personalized mRNA technology to lung, bladder, and kidney cancers.
Quotes
“The outcome is the first successful late-stage trial for an individualized messenger RNA cancer treatment.”
“significantly reduced the risk of melanoma recurring or spreading to other organs when combined with an existing immunotherapy drug”