Moderna and Merck’s Cancer Vaccine Trials Show Promise
On Wednesday, shares of Moderna experienced a significant surge, more than doubling in value, following the announcement of positive outcomes from late-stage trials of their cancer vaccines in collaboration with Merck. However, detailed data on these results has not yet been made public.
According to the companies, the Phase 3 trial achieved its main goal, demonstrating that the combination of vaccines leads to a noticeable increase in melanoma-free survival time when compared to Keytruda alone. Yet, specifics on effect sizes, survival durations, and a comprehensive statistical overview remain undisclosed, leaving investors and researchers eager for more concrete information.
The trial involved a testing cohort of 1,137 patients with high-risk melanoma, all of whom had undergone surgical removal of their tumors. The combination treatment also reportedly lowered the risk of the melanoma metastasizing to other parts of the body. The information was shared by CNBC.
Moderna’s stock soared over 130% during morning trades, while Merck’s shares rose by more than 10%. This notable increase in share price is likely reflective of the disparity in company size—prior to this surge, Merck was valued at around $333 billion, contrasting sharply with Moderna’s valuation of about $25 billion.
The companies conveyed that these latest results build upon earlier phase 2 findings, which could lead to the development of personalized vaccine treatments for melanoma. That said, the phase 3 trial is still in the process of evaluating overall survival rates, and more results are expected to be presented at an upcoming medical conference.
Some skepticism has emerged regarding the presentation of these trial results. One commentator pointed out, perhaps controversially, that if a trial is deemed successful, essential metrics like effect sizes should be disclosed in press releases. There’s a sense that transparency could be better, especially if a smaller biotechnology firm had released similarly ambiguous information.
This innovative vaccine approach attempts to distinguish itself from conventional cancer treatments by targeting mutations that are specific to each patient’s cancer. Utilizing Moderna’s mRNA technology, the vaccine primes the immune system to identify these mutations, which are then attacked more effectively with the support of Keytruda.
Earlier phase 2 trials indicated a 49% reduction in the risk of recurrence or death and a 59% decrease in the likelihood of distant metastases or death. However, the figures provided in the phase 3 results have been noticeably less detailed, raising some concerns.
Interestingly, Moderna has faced criticism during the pandemic for reportedly monitoring online discussions critical of its coronavirus vaccine.
Looking ahead, Merck and Moderna are also exploring personalized vaccines for various other types of cancer, including lung, bladder, and kidney cancers. The effectiveness of this approach in yielding similarly promising results remains uncertain.
The timeline for when they might seek U.S. regulatory approval is unclear, but Merck officials have mentioned that they plan to initiate discussions with regulatory authorities about the treatment and its safety in the months ahead.
