Merck CEO Rob Davis told CNBC that the company anticipates its collaborative cancer vaccine with Moderna will become quicker to manufacture in the coming years. The personalized vaccine currently requires a six-week production window, spanning from tumor sequencing through delivery to hospitals. Accelerating this timeline could help the companies distribute the treatment to additional patients more efficiently.
The vaccine works by training a patient’s immune system to recognize and attack unique cancer mutations specific to their tumor, rather than employing a uniform approach. Merck pairs this vaccine with its widely-used immunotherapy Keytruda to enhance the body’s cancer-fighting capabilities. Davis characterized the manufacturing process as a sophisticated but manageable system, expressing confidence that production timelines will not impede patient access. He noted the companies have clinical experience with the manufacturing procedure and anticipate continued improvements.
Merck and Moderna released encouraging preliminary trial results earlier this year for the vaccine combined with Keytruda in melanoma patients. The companies are also evaluating the vaccine across additional cancer types, including non-small cell lung cancer, certain bladder cancers, and renal cell carcinoma. Davis indicated the approach represents novel technology with potential long-term applications, though he cautioned the field remains at an early stage.
The CEO’s remarks followed Merck’s official opening of a new 120,000-square-foot research facility at its West Point, Pennsylvania location. The Advance facility incorporates automated robotic systems and artificial intelligence capabilities to enhance analysis of biological samples and streamline drug development processes. The facility opening occurs as Merck navigates the approaching patent expiration of Keytruda, its blockbuster revenue driver. The core U.S. patent expires in December 2028, with additional protections extending into 2029 and beyond.
Merck faces complications in expanding Keytruda’s newer subcutaneous formulation, approved by U.S. regulators in September 2025 for faster administration. A Dutch court recently blocked sales of this version across eight European nations following patent infringement claims by biotech firm Halozyme. Merck has stated its disagreement with the ruling and intends to appeal, while Halozyme has simultaneously pursued patent litigation in the United States.
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