Moderna is aiming for a 2027 launch of its personalized skin cancer vaccine, the company’s president revealed at a conference on Wednesday. Developed in collaboration with Merck, the vaccine uses Moderna’s mRNA technology to target melanoma.
Moderna, one of the first companies to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine, had initially projected a potential 2025 launch. However, on Wednesday, March 5, the president of the biotechnology company, Stephen Hoge, told conference attendees that the late-stage trial for V940, Moderna’s cancer vaccine, is now fully enrolled.
Merck had previously stated that the phase 3 trial, which was launched in 2023, aims to enroll approximately 1,089 patients across more than 165 sites in over 25 countries. The primary endpoint of the study is recurrence-free survival, with secondary endpoints including distant metastasis-free survival, overall survival, and safety.
Hoge expressed cautious optimism about the timeline, noting that the trial is on track to meet key clinical milestones by 2027. The study is evaluating the efficacy of V940 in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 drug, Keytruda, for melanoma.
Hoge noted the significant market potential for the vaccine, particularly in the melanoma adjuvant market, where it will be used to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. He also noted that V940 could be expanded into other cancers, such as non-small cell lung cancer, renal cancer, and bladder cancer, once approved.
Regarding efficacy, Hoge said the vaccine’s minimum target is 50 percent, though both Moderna and Merck are hopeful of surpassing this threshold. The final efficacy data will be available as additional patient data is collected. Moderna’s venture into cancer vaccines offers a promising new revenue stream beyond its COVID-19 success.
Following the announcement, shares of Moderna rose 4.8 percent to USD 35.21, while Merck increased by 0.7 percent to USD 93.19.
