Moderna Shares Soar as Cancer Vaccine Trials Yield Promising Results

Moderna and Merck's experimental personalised cancer vaccine has shown promise in its first Phase 3 trial, sending Moderna shares sharply higher. The mRNA-based vaccine, combined with Merck's Keytruda immunotherapy, significantly extended the period patients with high-risk melanoma remained free of cancer compared to Keytruda alone.

The combination also reduced the risk of melanoma spreading to distant parts of the body, according to initial results from the trial involving more than 1,100 patients. The participants had higher-risk or advanced melanoma that had been completely removed through surgery but remained at significant risk of recurrence.

Moderna Chief Executive Officer Stéphane Bancel described the results as a major moment for medicine and patients. While the companies still need to complete the Phase 3 trial and provide additional data, including overall survival results, before the treatment can be assessed for regulatory approval, this is a significant step forward in cancer research.