A personalized vaccine developed by Moderna (MRNA) and Merck (MRK) showed significant positive results 🔯in treating skin cancer in high risk patients.

The companies indicated the shot, which worked in combination with Merck’s Keytruda cancer drug, demonstrated in a Phase 2b trial “a clinically meaningful improvement in recurrence-free survival (RFS), reducing the risk of recurrence or death by 49%,” as compared to taking Keytruda alone. The research covered three years involving those with stage III/IV melanoma. 

The treatment involves analyzing the genetic makeup of each patient’s tumor so🧸 their immune system can recognize markers of abnorma🤡l growth.

Dr. Kyle ಌHolen, senior vice president and head of Development, Therapeutics, and Oncology at Moderna, said “we are excited to see such a robust clinical benefit” from the vaccine.

Moderna has been seeking new uses for its mRNA technology, which was key in creating the company's COVID-19 shots.

The two drug makers have already initiated a Phase 3 study of the🅷 therapy.

Moderna shares were up 9.5% at $86.10 at 1:30 p.m. ET, while Merck shares were down 1.2% at $105.80.