Key facts
- Moderna's stock price surged 95% in early trading on Wednesday.
- The surge followed positive results from a late-stage trial of an experimental mRNA-based cancer vaccine.
- The vaccine, combined with Merck's Keytruda, helped reduce melanoma recurrence in over 1,100 patients.
- The trial marked the first successful final-stage study for an mRNA-based cancer therapy.
- Merck's stock rose 6.5% on the news.
Moderna's stock price experienced a significant surge, rising by 95% in early trading on Wednesday, approaching its best-ever trading session. This dramatic increase followed the announcement of positive results from a late-stage clinical trial for an experimental mRNA-based cancer vaccine. The trial, which involved over 1,100 patients, indicated that the personalized vaccine, when used in combination with Merck's immunotherapy drug Keytruda, was successful in reducing the recurrence of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Furthermore, the experimental treatment significantly extended the period patients lived without their melanoma returning. This development marks a milestone as it represents the first successful final-stage study for any mRNA-based cancer therapy. In response to the news, Merck's stock also saw a notable increase, jumping 6.5% in early trading.