EVM16: Everest Medicines' Personalized mRNA Cancer Vaccine Shows First-in-Human Activity

Everest Medicines presented first-in-human Phase 1 data for EVM16, their proprietary personalized mRNA neoantigen cancer vaccine, at AACR 2026 in San Diego. Across 9 enrolled patients with advanced solid tumors, neoantigen-specific T-cell responses were detected in 8 of 9 patients (89%), demonstrating strong immunogenicity. Clinical activity was observed in heavily pre-treated patients: a patient with gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer who had failed 3 prior lines of therapy achieved a confirmed partial response with progression-free survival of 126 days; a non-small cell lung cancer patient achieved PFS of 88 days. The safety profile was favorable with no dose-limiting toxicities. EVM16 uses Everest's proprietary mRNA delivery and neoantigen prediction platform. The data represent the first public report of a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine from an Asia-based biotech company, broadening the global competitive landscape in mRNA oncology.