[Edaily Reporter PARK MIN ] Alteogen Inc.(196170)is trading higher in early trading on the 20th as the value of “Keytruda SC” is drawing attention following the successful Phase 3 clinical trials of mRNA cancer vaccines by global pharmaceutical companies Moderna and Merck (MSD).

According to MP Doctor, as of 9:36 a.m. today, Alteogen Inc. is trading at 325,500 won, up 7.25% from the previous trading day.

Today’s stock rally is believed to stem from increased interest in Alteogen Inc.’s “ALT-B4” subcutaneous (SC) formulation conversion platform, following the success of the personalized mRNA cancer therapy—jointly developed by Moderna and MSD—in meeting key endpoints in its Phase 3 clinical trial. ALT-B4 is a platform technology that converts intravenous (IV) drugs into subcutaneous (SC) formulations.

According to foreign media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Moderna and Merck announced positive results from a Phase 3 clinical trial combining the personalized mRNA cancer therapy “Intismeran” with Merck’s immunotherapy “Keytruda.” This marks the first time that a personalized cancer therapy based on messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology—the same technology used in COVID-19 vaccines—has yielded positive results in a large-scale Phase 3 clinical trial.

mRNA is a substance that delivers the “blueprint” necessary for cells in the body to produce proteins. mRNA transmits genetic information stored in DNA to the cytoplasm outside the cell nucleus to produce proteins, and the immune system then generates antibodies against these antigens. Because it is a patient-specific vaccine, it can be effectively used to treat intractable cancers that are difficult for immune cells to target.

In particular, the success of this clinical trial is significant in that it reaffirms the potential for expansion in the combination therapy market based on Merck’s “Keytruda.” Moderna and MSD are evaluating the combination therapy of Intismeran and Keytruda in various cancer types beyond melanoma, including non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, and kidney cancer.

Keytruda Qurex is a formulation developed to allow MSD’s flagship immuno-oncology drug, Keytruda, to be administered via subcutaneous injection rather than intravenous (IV) infusion; it received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last September. Alteogen Inc. provides the core technology for the conversion of Qurex to a subcutaneous injection formulation. The structure is such that as Qurex sales increase, the sales milestones paid to Alteogen Inc. also expand.

Meanwhile, buoyed by the success of this Phase 3 clinical trial, Moderna plans to apply for marketing authorization after consulting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The company aims to launch the product next year. News of the first successful Phase 3 trial for an mRNA cancer vaccine sent Moderna and MSD stock prices soaring. As of 7:00 a.m. on the 19th, before the U.S. stock market opened for regular trading, Moderna’s stock was trading at $37.15, up 59.01% from the previous trading day. MSD’s stock was also trading at $143.99, up 6.53%.