Moderna Stock Surges 150% on Successful Skin Cancer Treatment Trial Results
Moderna Inc (MRNA) and Merck's Keytruda have shown promising results in treating skin cancer, according to an announcement by Moderna on August 19, 2026. The late-stage clinical trial of Moderna's mRNA vaccine, Intismeran, in combination with Keytruda met primary goals of reducing cancer recurrence and secondary goals of preventing cancer spread.
The interim results indicate that the treatment was successful in a significant number of patients, including those with high-risk stage IIB-IV melanoma. The trial involved 1,137 participants who had undergone surgery to remove their tumors.
Moderna's stock surged over 150% following the announcement, while Merck's shares rose by 10%. However, analysts have expressed concerns about Moderna's valuation, citing its elevated Price-to-Sales (P/S) ratio and low profitability. The company's GF Score™ of 57/100 suggests a moderate overall performance with strengths in growth and weaknesses in profitability and valuation.
Barclays has projected potential revenues of around $3 billion by 2035 from this melanoma treatment, which could provide a substantial boost to Moderna's financial outlook. However, the company's market capitalization is approximately $57.38 billion, and its current P/S ratio is significantly higher than its historical median of about 8.4x.