Biotech stocks had already been gaining ground before this week’s news. In June, the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) traded just 1.47% below its 52-week high after moving sideways since November.
Then, Moderna (MRNA) surged more than 176%, while Merck (MRK) gained over 12%, after their personalized mRNA cancer vaccine reduced melanoma recurrence in a late-stage trial. The INTerpath-001 study included 1,137 high-risk melanoma patients and delivered the first successful Phase 3 result for an individualized mRNA neoantigen therapy.