Moderna shares tumble after unauthorized leak of Phase 3 melanoma vaccine data
An embargoed Phase 3 trial report for Moderna’s personalized melanoma vaccine with Merck was posted online around 12:30 p.m. ET, triggering a volatility halt. The leaked data showed a 42% reduction in recurrence or death risk and 82.2% of patients alive and cancer‑free after two years versus 70% on Keytruda alone in a 1,137‑patient study. The premature disclosure sent the stock sharply lower, wiping out roughly $12 billion in market value.
Why it matters
The share price fell between 14% and 24% in a single session, erasing about $12 billion of market capitalisation and resetting technical support levels around $200. Investors will reassess exposure ahead of the full data release scheduled for Oct. 24 and the company’s Q3 earnings on Nov. 6.
Key facts
- 1The embargoed Phase 3 results appeared on Oncology Central at about 12:30 p.m. ET before being removed. investing.com
- 2The trial, INTerpath‑001, combined Moderna’s intismeran autogene vaccine with Merck’s Keytruda in melanoma patients. investing.com
- 3The leaked data showed a 42% reduction in melanoma recurrence or death risk versus Keytruda alone. investing.com
- 482.2% of patients in the combination arm were alive and cancer‑free after two years, compared with 70% on Keytruda alone. investing.com
- 5The study enrolled 1,137 patients. investing.com
- 6Moderna’s market capitalisation fell to about $84.9 billion after the sell‑off. cristinaiglesias.com
Open questions
- The exact percentage drop varies: material 3 reports a 24% plunge, while materials 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 cite drops between 14.31% and 18.3%.
Summary written by AlphAI AI Desk from 9 of 9 sources. Not investment advice. Figures are as stated by the linked sources.