Moderna shares rise as intismeran autogene marks first successful late-stage mRNA cancer vaccine trial

Moderna shares rose 2.9% in pre-market trading following the announcement that its personalized mRNA cancer vaccine, intismeran autogene, met the primary endpoint in a late-stage Phase 3 trial. Developed in partnership with Merck, the vaccine demonstrated a meaningful reduction in melanoma recurrence among patients whose tumors had been surgically removed. This milestone represents the first successful late-stage trial outcome for an mRNA-based cancer vaccine, prompting a sharp revaluation of the stock. Analysts have responded positively to the data, with Barclays analyst Eliana Merle increasing the price target for Moderna to $125. Wolfe Research also upgraded the stock, estimating potential peak sales of $9.2 billion across four cancer indications. Despite this success, the administration's vaccine research funding was recently impacted by cuts made by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who cancelled $500m in funding for mRNA research. While the clinical success is significant, experts warn that misinformation, such as the unproven 'turbo cancer' narrative, could impact public confidence in mRNA technology as it moves toward commercialization.

Sources

• Barron's
  What Moderna Must Do to Take Its Stock to the Next Level
• CNN
  Cancer vaccines could transform treatment and prevention – but misinformation about mRNA vaccines threatens their potential
• The New York Times
  A New mRNA Vaccine Could Prevent Skin Cancer From Returning
• The Washington Post
  What it was like to go through a trial that could revolutionize cancer treatment
• STAT
  Inside Moderna and Merck’s cancer vaccine triumph