Moderna kicks off mRNA cancer vaccine study; Biotech stocks were checked this month -- but that's a good thing
→ Moderna has kicked off its Phase I study for a personalized cancer vaccine, with the first dose in patients announced today. The messenger RNA-based vaccine, named mRNA-4157, accounts for 20 patient-specific mutations and is to be tested both on its own (for resected solid tumors) and in combination with Merck’s Keytruda (for unresectable solid tumors). “Having now successfully designed, manufactured and dosed a completely customized personalized cancer vaccine, we look forward to progressing the Phase I clinical study and gathering important human data on mRNA-4157 in the months ahead,” said CMO Tal Zaks in a statement. The biotech unicorn plans to enroll up to 90 patients in the trial, dubbed KEYNOTE-603. In a young field that combines two of the hottest concepts, where Eli Lilly is now also a player, the results will likely have important implications.
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