Moderna-Merck Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise in Late-Stage Trial

A collaborative cancer vaccine from Moderna and Merck has shown promise in its first-ever late-stage trial, according to the companies.

The mRNA-based shot, combined with Merck's immunotherapy Keytruda, met key goals in the Phase 3 trial involving over 1,100 patients with advanced melanoma who had undergone surgery. The combination regimen significantly extended the time patients lived without their cancer returning and reduced the risk of it spreading to distant parts of the body.

Merk shares jumped more than 12% on the news, while Moderna's stock soared about 177%, reflecting their relative size prior to the announcement. Merck's market cap was around $333 billion, compared to Moderna's near $25 billion.

The researchers plan to present the data at an upcoming international medical meeting and will likely start discussing the treatment with regulatory agencies in the next few months.