Lead Story
Personalized mRNA cancer vaccine succeeds in landmark melanoma trial
On August 19, 2026, Moderna and Merck announced that their personalized mRNA cancer vaccine, intismeran, combined with Merck's Keytruda met its primary endpoint in a Phase 3 trial of 1,137 patients with high-risk, surgically resected stage IIB-IV melanoma, significantly slowing cancer recurrence and spread compared to Keytruda alone. The trial also hit a key secondary endpoint of distant metastasis-free survival, building on earlier Phase 2b data that showed a 49% reduction in recurrence risk and a 59% reduction in metastasis risk. It is the first time a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine has succeeded in a randomized, controlled late-stage clinical trial. Moderna and Merck said they plan to seek regulatory approval within months, and the news sent both companies' stocks sharply higher.
Read more →Lead Story
Personalized mRNA cancer vaccine succeeds in landmark melanoma trial
On August 19, 2026, Moderna and Merck announced that their personalized mRNA cancer vaccine, intismeran, combined with Merck's Keytruda met its primary endpoint in a Phase 3 trial of 1,137 patients with high-risk, surgically resected stage IIB-IV melanoma, significantly slowing cancer recurrence and spread compared to Keytruda alone. The trial also hit a key secondary endpoint of distant metastasis-free survival, building on earlier Phase 2b data that showed a 49% reduction in recurrence risk and a 59% reduction in metastasis risk. It is the first time a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine has succeeded in a randomized, controlled late-stage clinical trial. Moderna and Merck said they plan to seek regulatory approval within months, and the news sent both companies' stocks sharply higher.
Cornell scientists crack low-temperature recipe for better quantum chips
Researchers at Cornell University, publishing in Nature Materials on August 19, 2026, unveiled a manufacturing technique that uses krypton gas during magnetron sputtering to fabricate tantalum-based superconducting qubits at just 200°C, down from the over 400°C previously required. The lower temperature prevents damaging tantalum-silicon intermixing and makes the process compatible with standard commercial semiconductor foundry equipment, clearing a major hurdle to mass-producing high-performance quantum chips. Transmon qubits built with the krypton-sputtered tantalum films achieved internal quality factors up to 16.9 million. Lead author Maciej W. Olszewski and colleagues say the technique lets foundries integrate high-performance quantum hardware into existing automated production lines without damaging underlying circuitry.
Read more →Cornell scientists crack low-temperature recipe for better quantum chips
Researchers at Cornell University, publishing in Nature Materials on August 19, 2026, unveiled a manufacturing technique that uses krypton gas during magnetron sputtering to fabricate tantalum-based superconducting qubits at just 200°C, down from the over 400°C previously required. The lower temperature prevents damaging tantalum-silicon intermixing and makes the process compatible with standard commercial semiconductor foundry equipment, clearing a major hurdle to mass-producing high-performance quantum chips. Transmon qubits built with the krypton-sputtered tantalum films achieved internal quality factors up to 16.9 million. Lead author Maciej W. Olszewski and colleagues say the technique lets foundries integrate high-performance quantum hardware into existing automated production lines without damaging underlying circuitry.
FDA clears first fully robotic blood-draw device for US clinics
The FDA announced on August 19, 2026 that it has authorized Aletta, the first standalone robotic device able to draw blood from a patient's arm without hands-on operator involvement, for use in adults in outpatient settings. The device uses near-infrared light and Doppler ultrasound to locate a suitable vein, then autonomously applies a tourniquet, preps the skin, inserts and removes the needle, swaps collection tubes, and applies a bandage. Clinical data submitted to the FDA showed Aletta's successful blood-draw rate matched or exceeded that of trained human phlebotomists. Because one supervising phlebotomist can oversee up to three Aletta units at once, the agency says the device could help ease the ongoing US phlebotomist shortage.
Read more →FDA clears first fully robotic blood-draw device for US clinics
The FDA announced on August 19, 2026 that it has authorized Aletta, the first standalone robotic device able to draw blood from a patient's arm without hands-on operator involvement, for use in adults in outpatient settings. The device uses near-infrared light and Doppler ultrasound to locate a suitable vein, then autonomously applies a tourniquet, preps the skin, inserts and removes the needle, swaps collection tubes, and applies a bandage. Clinical data submitted to the FDA showed Aletta's successful blood-draw rate matched or exceeded that of trained human phlebotomists. Because one supervising phlebotomist can oversee up to three Aletta units at once, the agency says the device could help ease the ongoing US phlebotomist shortage.
FDA approves first gene therapy for rare metabolic disease GSDIa
The FDA granted accelerated approval on August 19, 2026 to Ultragenyx's Genglycos (pariglasgene brecaparvovec-opnr), a one-time AAV8 gene therapy and the first-ever treatment to target the underlying genetic cause of Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia in patients aged 8 and older. GSDIa is a rare inherited disorder affecting an estimated 1,500 to 2,500 people in the US, caused by a deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase that leaves patients dependent on frequent cornstarch doses to prevent dangerous drops in blood sugar. In the pivotal Phase 3 study, the therapy significantly reduced patients' daily cornstarch requirements at 48 weeks. Ultragenyx said the approval, coming after earlier setbacks in its gene therapy programs, gives GSDIa patients the first option that addresses the disease's root cause rather than just managing symptoms.
Read more →FDA approves first gene therapy for rare metabolic disease GSDIa
The FDA granted accelerated approval on August 19, 2026 to Ultragenyx's Genglycos (pariglasgene brecaparvovec-opnr), a one-time AAV8 gene therapy and the first-ever treatment to target the underlying genetic cause of Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia in patients aged 8 and older. GSDIa is a rare inherited disorder affecting an estimated 1,500 to 2,500 people in the US, caused by a deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase that leaves patients dependent on frequent cornstarch doses to prevent dangerous drops in blood sugar. In the pivotal Phase 3 study, the therapy significantly reduced patients' daily cornstarch requirements at 48 weeks. Ultragenyx said the approval, coming after earlier setbacks in its gene therapy programs, gives GSDIa patients the first option that addresses the disease's root cause rather than just managing symptoms.
Canada unveils $10 billion clean energy package, largest in North American history
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on August 17, 2026, alongside Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham, up to $10 billion in federal financial support for a nearly $70 billion package of hydroelectric projects in Labrador, calling it the largest clean energy investment in North American history. The plan includes upgrades that will nearly triple the capacity of the Churchill Falls Generating Station and federal financing guarantees to finally build the long-discussed Gull Island hydroelectric project. Together the projects are expected to generate 14,000 megawatts of clean, renewable power — enough to power Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver combined — while supporting 23,000 construction jobs and adding an estimated $31 billion to Canada's GDP through the early 2040s. The deal is also meant to underpin infrastructure for critical minerals development in the Labrador Trough.
Read more →Canada unveils $10 billion clean energy package, largest in North American history
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on August 17, 2026, alongside Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham, up to $10 billion in federal financial support for a nearly $70 billion package of hydroelectric projects in Labrador, calling it the largest clean energy investment in North American history. The plan includes upgrades that will nearly triple the capacity of the Churchill Falls Generating Station and federal financing guarantees to finally build the long-discussed Gull Island hydroelectric project. Together the projects are expected to generate 14,000 megawatts of clean, renewable power — enough to power Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver combined — while supporting 23,000 construction jobs and adding an estimated $31 billion to Canada's GDP through the early 2040s. The deal is also meant to underpin infrastructure for critical minerals development in the Labrador Trough.