SA analyst upgrades/downgrades: AVGO, MRK, HPE, WULF

Moderna (MRNA) and Merck (MRK) reported positive Phase 3 trial results for their personalized cancer vaccine, intismeran autogene, showing longer cancer-free periods in melanoma patients. Shares of both companies surged. The vaccine uses mRNA technology and is tailored to individual tumor mutations. Detailed data and overall survival results are pending. Moderna co-founder Noubar Afeyan is an Armenian-American scientist and entrepreneur.

Moderna and Merck developed a personalized cancer vaccine using AI to identify tumor-specific markers. The vaccine, administered with Keytruda, showed early promise in preventing melanoma recurrence. Full trial data will be presented later this year. Moderna's stock more than doubled, and Merck's shares also rose significantly following the announcement.

Merck (MRK) and Moderna (MRNA) reported positive phase 3 trial results for an mRNA-based skin cancer treatment, called autogenous intismeran, combined with Merck's Keytruda. The therapy showed a statistically significant improvement in relapse-free survival for advanced melanoma patients post-surgery. Moderna shares rose over 2.5x, adding $40B to its market cap, while Merck shares increased over 12%. Full data will be presented at a medical congress, and regulatory approval processes will follow

Moderna and Merck reported positive late-stage trial results for their personalized cancer vaccine, which, when combined with Merck's Keytruda, showed improved outcomes in melanoma patients compared to Keytruda alone. The trial included one patient from NYU Langone Hospital. Moderna's stock surged after the announcement, rising from $62.96 to $174.38, though it later gave back some gains. Merck's stock also increased. The companies plan to present the data at an upcoming medical meeting and shar

Morgan Stanley upgraded Merck (MRK) to Overweight, doubling its price target to $89, citing confidence in its cancer pipeline. RBC downgraded MRK to Sector Perform, despite raising its target to $150, citing valuation concerns. The debate focuses on Merck's ability to replace Keytruda's revenue post-2028 patent cliff with new drugs like intismeran autogene and sac-TMT.

Moderna and Merck reported positive results from a late-stage trial of their personalized mRNA cancer vaccine, intismeran, showing reduced cancer recurrence in high-risk melanoma patients. The vaccine uses mRNA technology to target specific tumor neoantigens. Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine, mRNA-1010, was recently FDA-approved for adults 50+.