Moderna and Merck shares soar on mRNA cancer vaccine
Summary
Moderna and Merck announced that their new personalized mRNA treatment for high-risk skin cancer showed strong results in late-stage tests, helping prevent the cancer from coming back or spreading. This breakthrough led to a big rise in their stock prices and could change how some cancers are treated.Key Facts
- Moderna and Merck tested a personalized mRNA treatment combined with Merck’s drug Keytruda on over 1,100 patients with high-risk skin cancer called melanoma.
- The treatment helped prevent the cancer from returning or spreading better than using Keytruda alone.
- The therapy works by training the patient’s immune system to find and attack tumor mutations.
- Moderna’s stock price went up 177% after the news, and Merck’s stock rose by 12.6%.
- This treatment could be adapted for other cancers like kidney, bladder, and pancreas cancer.
- Moderna’s market value dropped over 90% after COVID vaccine demand fell, but this new cancer therapy may improve the company’s future.
- The safety of the new combined treatment was similar to earlier tests with no new risks found.
- Federal funding for mRNA vaccine research was cut during the Trump administration, which raised concerns about the technology’s future.
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