Pharma BD Deal Intelligence
Merck and Moderna expanded their existing cancer vaccine collaboration to jointly develop and commercialize mRNA-4157/V940 — now known by its international nonproprietary name intismeran autogene — an individualized neoantigen therapy (INT), in combination with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for the adjuvant treatment of high-risk resected melanoma and other tumor types. Merck paid $250M upfront to exercise its option for a worldwide 50/50 cost and profit share. The pivotal evidence base is the Phase 2b KEYNOTE-942 trial: initial data showed a 44% reduction in recurrence or death versus Keytruda monotherapy, and five-year follow-up data reported in January 2026 (and presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting) demonstrated a sustained 49% reduction in the risk of recurrence or death (HR 0.510; 95% CI 0.294-0.887). The pivotal Phase 3 INTerpath-001 melanoma trial is fully enrolled, and Phase 3 NSCLC studies (INTerpath-002 and INTerpath-009) remain in enrollment, with key confirmatory readouts anticipated in 2027.