BioNTech’s mRNA cancer vaccine fails phase 3 test, significantly denting analysts’ confidence

BioNTech's mRNA cancer vaccine BNT113 (tenumomeran) missed its primary PFS endpoint in the phase 2/3 AHEAD-MERIT trial in HPV16-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, given with pembrolizumab. Overall survival is still being assessed. Shares fell about 5% premarket on the 2026-10-13 announcement, and analysts' confidence in the platform took a hit; Reddit commenters debated the performance gap versus Moderna and BioNTech's shrinking UK operations.