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Moderna and Merck Report Phase 3 Melanoma Vaccine Win

8/29/2026

28 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Moderna Surpasses Keytruda

Moderna and Merck reported Phase 3 melanoma vaccine success on August 19, 2026.
The trial outperformed Keytruda on recurrence-free and distant metastasis-free survival.
Moderna shares climbed above $170 after the announcement.
Short sellers lost about $5.5 billion in mark-to-market value that day.
BioNTech shares fell 8% to $103 after ending its Phase 2 colorectal cancer trial in August 2026.

Summary

Mexico Cuts Approvals

Mexico’s health ministry reduced clinical trial approval timelines from 120 to 30 days.
COFEPRIS now accepts FDA, EMA, MHRA and Health Canada reviews for multinational oncology studies.
Moderna partnered with Mexican company Liomont to transfer mRNA manufacturing technology locally.

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Moderna Surpasses Keytruda

Moderna and Merck reported Phase 3 melanoma vaccine success on August 19, 2026.
The trial outperformed Keytruda on recurrence-free and distant metastasis-free survival.
Moderna shares climbed above $170 after the announcement.
Short sellers lost about $5.5 billion in mark-to-market value that day.
BioNTech shares fell 8% to $103 after ending its Phase 2 colorectal cancer trial in August 2026.

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