Moderna shares surge after experimental mRNA cancer treatment passes key test
- Moderna said early results from a study of an experimental cancer treatment met a key test.
- The treatment uses an mRNA-based cancer vaccine called intismeran, which is being developed with Merck.
- The vaccine is designed to be tailored to each patient based on mutations in their tumors.
- In the study, intismeran and Merck's Keytruda were given together to melanoma patients and compared with Keytruda alone.
- The companies said the combination helped patients live longer without the cancer returning or spreading, but they did not provide overall survival data.
- Moderna shares rose more than 120%, and Merck shares also climbed after the announcement.
Moderna said initial results from a study of its experimental mRNA cancer treatment cleared a key hurdle. The company is developing the therapy with Merck, using an mRNA-based cancer vaccine called intismeran that is intended to be customized for individual patients.
The study tested intismeran together with Merck's immunotherapy drug Keytruda in melanoma patients, and compared that combination with Keytruda alone. The companies said the combination helped patients remain free of cancer recurrence or spread for longer than those who received Keytruda by itself.
They did not disclose how long patients lived without the cancer returning, or whether the treatment improved overall survival. The results are set to be presented at an upcoming international medical meeting.
The announcement sent Moderna shares up more than 120% to $140.12, while Merck shares rose about 11%. For markets, the news is potentially positive for biotechnology stocks, especially Moderna and Merck, but it is neutral for broader markets absent further clinical or regulatory confirmation.
Moderna实验性mRNA癌症疗法通过关键测试后股价大涨
Moderna表示，其实验性mRNA癌症治疗的一项研究初步结果通过了关键节点。该疗法由Moderna与默克公司合作开发，使用一种名为intismeran的mRNA癌症疫苗，目标是根据每位患者的情况进行个体化定制。
这项研究将intismeran与默克的免疫治疗药物Keytruda联用，用于黑色素瘤患者，并与单独使用Keytruda进行比较。公司称，联合治疗组患者在癌症未复发或未扩散方面持续的时间，比单用Keytruda的患者更长。
不过，公司没有披露患者在癌症未复发情况下维持了多长时间，也没有说明是否改善了总体生存率。相关结果计划在即将举行的一场国际医学会议上公布。
消息公布后，Moderna股价上涨超过120%，报140.12美元，默克股价也上涨约11%。从市场角度看，这一消息对生物科技股，尤其是Moderna和默克，偏利好；对更广泛市场而言，在进一步临床或监管确认前，影响偏中性。