Moderna and Merck's personalized mRNA cancer vaccine, intismeran autogene, showed promising Phase 3 results in preventing melanoma recurrence. Combined with Keytruda, it cut recurrence risk by half and reduced spread by 59% in earlier data. The treatment could reach patients within two years pending regulatory approval.
Merck and Moderna's personalized mRNA cancer vaccine combined with Keytruda significantly reduced melanoma recurrence risk in a Phase 3 trial. The FDA has not yet approved the vaccine, with potential availability expected by early 2027.
Merck and Moderna announced that their personalized mRNA cancer vaccine intismeran, combined with Keytruda, slowed melanoma recurrence in a late-stage trial. It is the first randomized Phase 3 trial to prove the benefit of neoantigen vaccines.
The WHO approved the first malaria drug for infants weighing under 5kg, and researchers unveiled a single-dose compound, cabamiquine, showing promise in early trials. Investment in the Medicines for Malaria Venture yielded $13 in health benefits per $1 invested, averting 1.6 million deaths.
Servier agreed to acquire Day One for $2.5B, gaining an approved childhood brain tumor drug and pipeline assets. SCRI and MSD launched a collaboration to expand community oncology trial access, while Recursion took full ownership of REC-102 as Nvidia and Novo exited.
Several drugmakers saw shares fall after earnings missed expectations. Alnylam's Amvuttra sales disappointed despite growth; Neurocrine's guidance underwhelmed; AbbVie's Imbruvica and Roche's Vabysmo fell short of consensus.
Merck & Co. is bolstering its oncology pipeline with acquisitions like Terns Pharmaceuticals and Cidara Therapeutics, while Keytruda remains the key growth driver. It expects Keytruda peak sales of $35 billion by 2028 and aims to launch 20 new drugs by 2030.
Moderna posted a narrower-than-expected Q2 loss, with mFLUSIVA awaiting an FDA decision and a Phase 3 norovirus trial missing early success criteria. It reaffirmed 2026 revenue growth and cash guidance.
Blockbuster drugs worth hundreds of billions face generic competition as patents expire through 2032. Indian drugmakers could capture $3-5 billion of the opportunity, while GSK and Bristol Myers Squibb prepare for revenue losses.
Lawmakers opened national security probes into Merck, AbbVie and others over China drug trials. A survey finds China closing in on U.S. biotech leadership, and HHS launched clinical trial reforms to counter the rise.