The biotech sector has a new catalyst beyond GLP-1 drugs. Moderna Inc (MRNA  ) and Merck & Co Inc's (MRK  ) positive Phase 3 results for a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine could revive investor interest in genomics, immunotherapy and precision medicine ETFs.

Their intismeran autogene therapy, given with Merck's Keytruda, significantly improved recurrence-free and distant metastasis-free survival in patients with resected stage IIB-IV melanoma. It is the first mRNA-based cancer therapy to post a positive Phase 3 result.

Precision Medicine Moves Into Focus

The more interesting ETF opportunity here may be broader than mRNA.

Personalized cancer vaccines rely on sequencing a patient's tumor, identifying mutations that could trigger an immune response and designing a treatment specifically for that patient. Moderna uses AI tools to help identify promising neoantigens, linking the cancer-vaccine opportunity to the broader genomics and precision-medicine ecosystem.

That makes the iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF (IDNA  ) one of the more targeted ways to play the theme. The fund holds both Moderna and Merck, giving investors exposure to companies involved in genomics, immunology and bioengineering.

The ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG  ) offers a more aggressive genomics angle. Its holdings include Twist Bioscience Corp (TWST  ), 10x Genomics Inc (TXG  ), Tempus AI Inc (TEM  ), CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP  ) and Guardant Health Inc (GH  ), providing exposure to genetic sequencing, molecular diagnostics and gene-editing technologies that could support personalized medicine.

Broad Biotech ETFs Already Have Exposure

Investors seeking less concentrated exposure can turn to XBI and IBB.

SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI  ) currently holds Moderna at about 2.8% of assets and uses a modified equal-weight approach across 155 biotechnology companies. That structure gives investors exposure to smaller biotech companies that could benefit from a wider revival in drug-development sentiment, rather than making the ETF dependent on one cancer-vaccine winner.

iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB  ) provides broader exposure to U.S. biotechnology and was up about 25% year to date.

The opportunity, however, remains early. Full clinical data, long-term survival results, regulatory filings and the ability to manufacture personalized vaccines at scale will determine whether the breakthrough becomes a commercially significant platform.

For ETF investors, the bigger takeaway is that biotech's next growth cycle could extend beyond obesity drugs into cancer vaccines, genomics and precision medicine.