Positive results have been obtained in clinical trials of the personalized mRNA vaccine against melanoma developed by the US biotechnology company Moderna.
Modern.az reports that after the announced results, the company's shares rose by approximately 150 percent in stock trading, from 63 dollars to over 160 dollars. As a result, Moderna's market capitalization exceeded 55 billion dollars.
The experimental mRNA vaccine in question is called Intismeran, developed by the company in collaboration with the US company Merck.
The drug was tested on patients diagnosed with high-risk or advanced melanoma, whose tumors were surgically removed. More than 1100 patients participated in the study.
The main feature of the vaccine is that it is prepared individually for each patient. The drug is developed based on the unique genetic characteristics of the patient's tumor and uses mRNA technology. The vaccine was administered in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda). During the trials, the combination was reported to show a clinically significant advantage compared to patients receiving only pembrolizumab.
According to the company's statement, this is an important event as it is the first time an mRNA-based cancer vaccine has shown positive results in a late stage of clinical trials. Moderna and Merck plan to begin discussions with regulatory bodies regarding the evaluation of the drug in the coming months.
The possibilities of applying the technology in the treatment of other oncological diseases are also being investigated.
