Moderna Surges 9% as Phase 3 Melanoma Data Wins Presidential Symposium Slot; Merck and BioNTech Edge Higher

Moderna's shares surged 9% after its Phase 3 melanoma vaccine study for intismeran autogene was selected for a Presidential Symposium slot at the ESMO congress, signaling significant clinical potential. While no new efficacy data was released, the prestigious slot itself indicates the data is considered practice-changing. Merck, Moderna's partner, and BioNTech saw modest gains, suggesting the market views this as a re-rating specific to Moderna rather than a broad validation of mRNA oncology.