The drug companies used a personalized mRNA vaccine combined with Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug developed by Merck, to treat people who have had surgery to remove melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. The late-stage trial found the experimental treatment reduced skin cancer recurrence and spread more than Keytruda alone. (The Logic)

Talking point: The trials for the treatment are ongoing, and a peer-reviewed report on the findings haven’t been published, nor have the companies released the full data. However, the results so far mark the first positive late-stage results for an mRNA cancer vaccine and this kind of personalized therapy, validating research into cancer treatments tailored to an individual’s tumor mutation. The potential treatment would be a boon for Moderna, which has been seeking new ways to use mRNA technology following its success with the COVID-19 vaccine. Earlier this month, it began clinical trials for an mRNA-based Ebola vaccine. The treatment would also give Merck a new stream of business as it braces for its Keytruda patent to expire in December 2028. Moderna’s stock price was up around 140 per cent Wednesday afternoon, while Merck’s jumped over 12 per cent.

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