Moderna Shares More Than Double After Cancer Vaccine Trial
Moderna and Merck reported positive results from a late-stage cancer vaccine trial. The vaccine is called intismeran.
The trial involved high-risk melanoma patients. The vaccine is made for each patient using tumor mutations.
It is used together with Merck's drug Keytruda not alone. The combination prevented melanoma from returning and spreading.
Patients lived longer without melanoma returning compared to Keytruda alone. These results were linked to Moderna's shares more than doubling in value.
The increase made Moderna co-founder Robert Langer a billionaire again. The vaccine remains experimental and is not yet approved. Regulators still need to review the trial evidence.
Klear Note — Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. Late-stage trials provide evidence regulators use when considering approval.
Key Terms 4
- mRNA Genetic technology used to make some vaccines work.
- melanoma A serious type of skin cancer.
- Keytruda A cancer drug made by Merck.
- intismeran Name of the new experimental cancer vaccine.