In a new study, scientists from Johns Hopkins Medicine report that an experimental mRNA-based platform has the potential to help deliver next-generation mRNA therapeutics, including vaccines fighting against infectious disease, cancer and autoimmune conditions, faster and more efficiently than the industry standard.

With the commercialization of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, research and development into the application of mRNA in vaccines and pharmaceuticals is accelerating. In particular, it is attracting attention not only in vaccines for preventing infectious diseases but also in cancer immunotherapy.

Shares of biotechnology company Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) fell 20% in the morning session after investors took profits as the stock surged over 175% in the previous session on positive clinical trial news.

The rally around MRNA names began on Wednesday after Merck and Moderna reported positive late-stage results for their personalized mRNA cancer vaccine combined with Keytruda in high-risk melanoma patients.

For older adults, the flu vaccine could look a little different this year.

Moderna’s shares surged as much as 160% on Wednesday after the US drugmaker and Merck reported a successful Phase 3 trial of their personalised mRNA-based cancer treatment, putting Indian pharma stocks with exposure to Merck’s blockbuster cancer drug KEYTRUDA on investors’ radar ahead of Thursday’s market opening.