Moderna, Merck cancer vaccine hits key Phase 3 endpoints
Moderna and Merck say their personalized mRNA cancer vaccine intismeran with Keytruda met key endpoints in a Phase 3 melanoma trial, cutting recurrence and distant metastasis versus Keytruda alone.
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Note the following: This article is about the big picture, not an individual stock.
The chart of MRNA stock is being used to illustrate the point that innovation is providing great opportunities for investors.
The chart shows a very large move in MRNA stock.
RSI on the chart shows MRNA stock is now very overbought.
There is a major breakthrough in cancer treatment from Moderna (MRNA) and Merck & Co Inc (NYSE: MRK ).
Personalized mRNA cancer vaccine, intismeran, combined with Keytruda met the key endpoints in a Phase 3 melanoma trial, significantly reducing recurrence and distant metastasis compared with Keytruda alone.
This is the first positive Phase 3 trial for an mRNA based cancer therapy.
In our analysis, the significance goes well beyond melanoma.
The results provide important validation of Moderna’s mRNA platform for treating cancer, potentially opening a large new opportunity beyond infectious disease vaccines.
Moderna and Merck are already testing the approach across multiple cancers.
Investors should note two potential catalysts ahead: detailed Phase 3 data and overall survival data.
As a full disclosure, there are new buy signals on MRK and MRNA in our report.
In our analysis, investors should start positioning for the coming humanoid robot boom.
Humanoid robots require far more than AI processors.
They need large amounts of analog semiconductor content for sensing, motor control, power management, battery management, safety, and real time connectivity.
Analog Devices Inc (NASDAQ: ADI ) is positioning itself across all of these critical functions and describes its technology as providing much of the robot’s physical interface and "nervous system" layer.
ADI is in our portfolio, long from an average of $83.25.
In our analysis, ADI is an under the radar picks and shovels play on humanoid robots.
ADI has pulled back about 15% from its June high, creating a better entry point for long term investors than chasing strength.
However, ADI is still significantly above our buy zone.
Prudent investors should consider starting or adding to positions on major pullbacks by scaling in rather than buying all at once.
The South Korean stock market is important because lately the South Korean stock market has been leading the U.S. stock market, especially in memory stocks.
The reason is that two of the three biggest memory makers SK Hynix Inc — ADR (NASDAQ: SKHY ) and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (OTCPK:SSNLF) are in South Korea.
Overnight, the South Korean Kospi Index fell 6.39%, triggering a Sidecar mechanism.
A Sidecar mechanism is a five minute suspension of program trading sell orders.
The purpose is to slow down selling.
Memory maker SK Hynix stock fell nearly 10%.
SK Hynix quickly moved to calm the markets by announcing a $28B buyback.
The move has triggered aggressive buying in semiconductors.
Aggressive b uying in stocks, bonds, bitcoin, gold, and silver has just been triggered by an unexpected announcement from the U.S.
Treasury.
The U.S.
Treasury is doubling buyback support for long bonds.
This is effective September 9, 2026 and will stay in force through November 4, 2026.
In our analysis, this is bullish for long duration bonds as it puts pressure on long term yields.