Moderna-Merck mRNA vaccine clears first Phase 3 for cancer; melanoma stocks surge
A personalized mRNA vaccine layered on top of Merck's Keytruda extended recurrence-free and metastasis-free survival in 1,137 patients whose melanoma had been surgically cleared. It's the first positive Phase 3 readout for both mRNA and individualized neoantigen cancer therapy. Moderna spiked as much as ~70% premarket, with prior five-year data showing a 49% lower risk of recurrence or death. Full data comes at an oncology conference; FDA filing is next.