Investing.com -- Moderna Inc (BMV: MRNA ). anticipates the release of a personalized cancer vaccine, currently being developed in partnership with Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK )., by 2027, according to a statement made by Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA )’s President Stephen Hoge. He made these remarks at an investor conference on Wednesday.

The company is presently conducting a late-stage trial for a skin cancer vaccine. Hoge expressed optimism about the potential revenue from the cancer vaccine, stating that it could materialize rapidly. He also confirmed that the phase three study for the vaccine had been fully enrolled as of September 24.

Hoge further discussed the adjuvant melanoma market, which is the initial indication for the vaccine. He suggested that the market could be significantly profitable due to the considerable improvements they’ve observed over Keytruda, a checkpoint inhibitor. Hoge also mentioned plans for expansion into non-small cell lung cancer, renal cancer, and bladder cancer once the vaccine is approved and launched.

In response to an inquiry about the efficacy of the vaccine, Hoge explained that the minimum efficacy target is approximately 50%. He maintained that they are hopeful of surpassing this target, although the actual efficacy rate will only be determined after further case accrual.

Hoge also commented on the risk of pandemic influenza, such as the H5 bird flu. He emphasized the importance of having countermeasures in place due to the high rate of transmission of the H5 bird flu across different species. Moderna is currently preparing to move forward to phase 3 for a potential influenza vaccine, following satisfactory phase 1 and 2 data.

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