Daiichi Sankyo’s shares advanced 6.1% to ¥2,895 on Thursday, contributing to a 0.8% rise in the Nikkei 225, as investors reacted to positive trial results from a late-stage melanoma vaccine developed by partners Merck and Moderna.
The rally followed the disclosure on Wednesday of positive outcomes from the first-ever late-stage trial of the experimental, personalized cancer vaccine. Merck, Daiichi’s global drug development partner, surged more than 12% in after-hours trading, while Moderna rallied over 10%, with some data points indicating a broader gain of 176.97% in context.
Takeda Pharmaceutical, which has several collaborations with Moderna, also rose 1% as sector-wide sentiment improved. The gains extended beyond Daiichi, reflecting broader optimism in oncology and biotechnology following the trial announcement.
Merck and Daiichi Sankyo signed a $4 billion partnership in late 2023 to co-develop oncology treatments, though Daiichi was not directly involved in the melanoma vaccine trial. The deal underscores the strategic focus on cancer therapies amid increasing competition in the immunotherapy space.
The positive trial results mark a significant milestone for Merck and Moderna’s joint efforts in personalized cancer vaccines, a field gaining traction as drugmakers seek more targeted therapies. The development follows broader trends in oncology innovation, where partnerships between large pharmaceutical firms and biotech companies have become a key driver of pipeline advancements.
