Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., September 21, 2026
Moderna, Inc. announced that three clinical abstracts evaluating intismeran autogene, an investigational mRNA-based individualized neoantigen therapy, have been accepted for presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2026 in Madrid, Spain. The company said the presentations will include Phase 3 data from the INTerpath-001 study evaluating intismeran autogene in combination with pembrolizumab as adjuvant treatment for patients with completely resected stage IIB-IV melanoma. The Phase 3 melanoma data have been selected for a Presidential Symposium, one of the major scientific presentation sessions at the meeting. ESMO Congress 2026 is scheduled for October 23-27, 2026, bringing together oncology researchers and clinicians to discuss advances across cancer treatment and drug development.
Phase 3 Melanoma Data Selected for ESMO Symposium
The central presentation will feature results from INTerpath-001, a Phase 3 study comparing intismeran autogene plus pembrolizumab with pembrolizumab alone in patients with completely resected stage IIB-IV melanoma. The presentation is scheduled for October 24 at 4:30 p.m. CEST during the Presidential Symposium and will be presented by Georgina V. Long of Sydney, Australia. The study is evaluating Moderna’s individualized neoantigen approach in the adjuvant setting, where treatment is administered after surgical removal of the cancer to address the risk of recurrence. Moderna and Merck are jointly developing intismeran autogene, with Merck known as MSD outside the United States and Canada.
Intismeran autogene represents an application of Moderna’s mRNA technology platform to individualized cancer therapy. Rather than using a single fixed cancer antigen for every patient, an individualized neoantigen approach is designed around tumor-specific information from an individual patient. The therapeutic strategy is being investigated in combination with pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, as researchers evaluate whether personalized mRNA-based immune stimulation can complement established immunotherapy approaches. The upcoming ESMO presentation will provide a major scientific forum for detailed review of the Phase 3 findings.
Additional Cancer Studies Expand Clinical Program
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Alongside the melanoma Phase 3 presentation, Moderna will present additional clinical research involving pancreatic cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A poster presentation will report results from a Phase 1 study of adjuvant intismeran autogene combined with FOLFIRINOX in patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. That presentation is scheduled for October 25, with David J. Pinato of London serving as presenter. The company will also present a trial-in-progress abstract for INTerpath-014, a Phase 3 study evaluating adjuvant intismeran autogene plus subcutaneous pembrolizumab, intismeran autogene alone, or placebo in patients with completely resected high-risk stage I NSCLC.
The three ESMO presentations demonstrate the expanding clinical evaluation of individualized mRNA cancer immunotherapy across multiple tumor types and development stages. The melanoma program has reached Phase 3, while the pancreatic cancer program provides earlier clinical experience and the NSCLC program represents another late-stage investigation. Together, the studies are designed to examine the potential application of individualized neoantigen therapy across different cancer settings. The announcement does not represent a new regulatory approval for intismeran autogene, which remains an investigational therapy.
Moderna Plans ESMO Investor Webcast
Moderna also announced plans to host an investor event via webcast on October 24 at 7:00 p.m. CEST, following the ESMO presentations. The event will provide an opportunity to discuss the company’s oncology research and the newly presented clinical data. Moderna continues to develop an mRNA medicines platform spanning oncology, infectious diseases, rare diseases and other therapeutic areas, with intismeran autogene forming part of its cancer-focused pipeline. The ESMO 2026 program therefore represents an important upcoming scientific milestone for Moderna’s individualized mRNA oncology platform. With Phase 3 melanoma data receiving a Presidential Symposium presentation and additional studies covering pancreatic cancer and NSCLC, the meeting will provide researchers with further clinical information on the development of personalized neoantigen therapy. The presentations will also offer a broader view of how Moderna and Merck are advancing intismeran autogene through different stages of clinical development and across multiple cancer types.
Source: Moderna press release
