Moderna Stock Gets Another Boost as Cancer Vaccine Hopes Rise

Moderna (MRNA) stock received another upgrade from Argus Research following its positive late-stage trial results for a cancer vaccine, intismeran. The personalized mRNA vaccine, co-developed with Merck (MRK), met its primary end goal in a Phase III clinical trial when taken in concert with Keytruda (pembrolizumab). Intismeran was found to be more effective at reducing the risk of cancer returning in melanoma patients than just Keytruda alone.

The results open a pathway for Moderna and Merck to pursue U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, with some oncologists saying the drug could become available by early 2027. The news sent MRNA stock more than 125% higher last week and triggered multiple upgrades to Moderna. Argus Research analyst Jasper Hellweg upgraded MRNA's stock to Buy, citing the positive initial results of the melanoma study.

Hellweg notes that intismeran has the potential to blow open its commercialized-product doors wide open, with peak annual sales potentially reaching $4-$7 billion if the melanoma indication launches successfully and efficacy extends into additional tumor types. Intismeran is also being developed to treat non-small-cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, and renal cell carcinoma.