Moderna, Merck shares fall on eagerly anticipated cancer vaccine results - BioPharma Dive
Moderna and Merck's experimental cancer vaccine showed a 42% reduction in the risk of melanoma recurrence in a late-stage trial. Despite meeting clinical expectations, the companies' stock prices fell as investors reacted to the news.
Why it matters
This represents a significant advancement in personalized cancer immunotherapy, though it illustrates the volatility of biotech stocks following major clinical announcements.
A regimen involving the vaccine cut the risk of relapse or death by 42% in a landmark melanoma study that met investor expectations but triggered a “sell-the-news” response, one analyst wrote.
A cancer vaccine developed by Moderna and Merck & Co. has lived up to its billing, meeting lofty expectations from industry watchers and physicians in slowing the return of advanced melanoma, according to data published ahead of a major medical meeting.
Moderna and Merck reported in August that a combination of the vaccine, “intismeran autogene,” and Merck’s immunotherapy Keytruda, bested Keytruda alone in a late-stage trial. That study evaluated both regimens in the “adjuvant” setting after surgical removal of a tumor.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in