Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel discusses joint efforts with Merck to create a skin cancer vaccine. They cover accelerated approval, improved survival rates, expansion into more cancer studies, sales performance, market share, future plans, and the company's impact in saving lives.
Moderna is developing individualized treatments for skin cancer using customized chemical drugs based on the DNA of each patient's cancer cells, showing a 49% improvement in three-year survival for melanoma patients compared to current options.
Moderna anticipates significant sales growth in an endemic COVID market, with an estimated $4 billion in sales in 2024, and plans to launch RSV treatment in 2024, emphasizing their strong pipeline and platform approach for drug development.
Deep dives
Moderna's Individualized Treatment for Skin Cancer
Moderna is using its technology to develop individualized treatments for skin cancer. They are creating different chemical drugs customized to the DNA of each patient's cancer cells. The data from their drug shows a 49% improvement in three-year survival for melanoma patients compared to the current best drug available. Moderna is rushing the treatment into phase three and seeking accelerated approval due to its strong safety profile. They are partnered with Merck commercially and clinically to further develop and study the treatment.
Moderna's Sales Growth and Focus on RSV and Flu
Moderna is anticipating sales growth in an endemic COVID market, with an estimated $4 billion in sales in 2024. They are gaining market share, particularly in the U.S., where they currently have 52-53% market share. In addition to COVID vaccines, Moderna plans to launch RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) treatment in 2024, expecting a significant opportunity in the market. They emphasize their strong pipeline, with seven programs in phase three, and their platform approach using information technology for drug development. Moderna is dedicated to driving sales growth, and the sales team now reports directly to the CEO.
Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel discusses the joint effort between Merck and Moderna to create a vaccine that combats skin cancer. He speaks with Bloomberg's Tom Keene, Jonathan Ferro, and Lisa Abramowicz.