BioNTech halts mRNA colorectal cancer vaccine trial after safety review

BioNTech, a German vaccine maker, which is partnering with Roche's Genentech for the mRNA-based cancer vaccine, said that its decision to drop the study would not affect its other trial involving pancreatic cancer patients. Data from this study is expected in 2031.

Analysts said the failure is a negative signal for mRNA vaccines in "cold" tumors historically resistant to immunotherapy, like colorectal and pancreatic cancers, unlike "hot" tumors such as melanoma where Moderna succeeded.

This could also dim prospects for BioNTech's remaining pancreatic trial, despite its use of combination therapy with Roche's Tecentriq, analysts said.

BioNTech's vaccine, autogene cevumeran, is personalized to deliver instructions that teach the immune system to recognize each patient's specific tumor cells. The Merck-Moderna vaccine is similarly designed to target mutations unique to an individual patient's tumor.