The a16z Show

Jorge Conde × Stéphane Bancel

Moderna and Merck’s personalized mRNA cancer vaccine met its Phase 3 primary endpoint in melanoma and also hit distant metastasis-free survival at the first interim analysis, with patient availability hoped for in 2027.Phase 2 showed 50% five-year recurrence-free survival versus Keytruda alone and 80% disease-free; inside-cell antigen presentation and a Marlborough facility capable of tens of thousands of doses support scale, while pricing and 20% nonresponse remain watchpoints.

Erik Torenberg × Justin Mares

TrueMed’s differentiated wedge is turning qualified preventive interventions into tax-advantaged healthcare through letters of medical necessity and payment integrations with Eight Sleep, Peloton, Momentous, and Life Time Fitness.The model targets a structural mismatch in which consumers pay for prevention while insurers absorb enormous downstream costs, but subsidy reform, food quality, GLP-1 limitations, and regulatory capture remain essential risks to changing chronic-disease economics.