Biotech

The Merck/Moderna Results

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 23/10/2026, 15:20:30 UTC.

Briefings

Merck and Moderna announced a Phase III trial result for the intismeran autogene vaccine combined with Keytruda in melanoma patients, reporting a 42% reduction in recurrence or death risk after two years. The trial met its primary endpoint of recurrence-free survival, with the combination group showing an 82.2% rate of not relapsing compared to 70% for Keytruda alone. Both companies' stocks declined following the release, which occurred before a scheduled presentation. The study is currently being expanded to other cancers, including bladder and renal cell carcinoma, though long-term survival data remains pending.

Key points

• Merck and Moderna reported a 42% reduction in recurrence or death risk for melanoma patients treated with the intismeran autogene vaccine combined with Keytruda after two years.
• The combination therapy group achieved an 82.2% rate of not relapsing, compared to 70% for Keytruda alone in the melanoma trial.

Context

This finding represents a significant advancement in immunotherapy for melanoma, where the vaccine targets personalized neoantigens from tumor cells. The trial met its primary endpoint of recurrence-free survival, with interim Phase III data previously showing statistically significant improvement. The combination approach adds to the efficacy of Keytruda, which has historically shown high efficacy in melanoma patients.

Limitations

The evidence is limited to the Phase III trial data released before the scheduled presentation. Long-term survival numbers are still counting up, and the study is being expanded to other cancer types including bladder and renal cell carcinoma. Uncertainty remains regarding the long-term efficacy and safety of the personalized neoantigen vaccine approach across different cancer types.

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