ESMO 2026 news: New data on Moderna-Merck cancer vaccine

Andrew covers the biopharma industry, scientific research, and public health across the continent. You can reach Andrew confidentially on Signal at drewqjoseph.71.

Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard. You can reach Adam on Signal at stataf.54.

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Hello from Madrid, where this year’s European Society for Medical Oncology conference got off to an unexpected start with the leak of the meeting’s most anticipated data. See below for a rundown of what’s happened, and stay with us the next few days as we cover the reaction to that study and a whole lot more. We’re at [email protected] and [email protected] for any thoughts, questions, or opinions on what makes a good vermouth. 

The Moderna-Merck melanoma cancer vaccine data arrived early 

Adam Feuerstein/STAT

As reporters, nothing juices your adrenaline, or spikes your frustration, more than a major embargo violation of the most highly anticipated data presentation at ESMO. All carefully laid plans went right out the window on the eve of the conference. We were NOT the guilty party. 

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