Moderna soars as experimental cancer treatment clears key test

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts: Moderna shares more than doubled on August 19 after the company reported initial results from a study of an experimental personalized mRNA cancer treatment that would be the first of its kind if approved by regulators. Moderna and Merck are developing the treatment using an mRNA-based cancer vaccine called intismeran, which is designed to be tailored to individual patients based on unique mutations within their tumors. In current studies, the companies are pairing intismeran with Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug made by Merck. The study compared intismeran and Keytruda together in melanoma patients with Keytruda alone. The companies said patients who received the combination treatment lived longer without their cancer returning or metastasizing than patients who received Keytruda alone. Moderna and Merck did not disclose how long patients survived without their cancer returning. They also did not say whether patients receiving the combination treatment lived longer overall. The companies said they plan to present the study results at an upcoming international medical meeting. Moderna shares climbed more than 120 percent to US$140.12 a share following the announcement, while Merck shares rose about 11 percent.