Moderna and Merck’s intismeran autogene, a personalized mRNA vaccine paired with pembrolizumab (Keytruda), met key phase 3 endpoints in high-risk melanoma. The companies reported a 42% reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence or death versus pembrolizumab alone after roughly two years of follow-up. In the same trial dataset, the combination also showed a 38% reduction in the risk of cancer spread or death. Independent analysis supported the results, with Moderna describing the findings as “really encouraging,” while investors reacted negatively to the news on the day it surfaced publicly. The companies said the data have been accepted for publication in the New England Journal of Medicine and that they are engaging with regulators to seek approval, setting up the next phase of evidence for a new, individualized mRNA approach in oncology.