US pharmaceutical company Moderna, in partnership with Merck, saw a 4% stock increase following positive results from a phase-2b trial combining their mRNA-4157 cancer vaccine with Merck's Keytruda for late-stage melanoma.

The trial, involving 157 high-risk melanoma patients, demonstrated a 49% reduction in cancer recurrence and a 62% decrease in metastasis compared to Keytruda alone.

Moderna's mRNA technology is also showing promise in trials for lung cancer patients.

The FDA has approved Moderna's mRESVIA mRNA vaccine for adults aged 60 and older to prevent RSV, making it the third RSV vaccine approved in the past year.

The single-dose shot showed high efficacy in the phase 3 ConquerRSV trial, with an 83.7% efficacy against RSV lower respiratory tract disease.

Common side effects of the mRESVIA vaccine include injection site pain, fatigue, and headache.

Moderna plans to make mRESVIA available in the US for the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season, further cementing their commitment to advancing healthcare beyond Covid.