STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Merck enters Covid-19 vaccine race; pharma alarmed by push for U.S.-only supply chain
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was somehow restful and invigorating, especially given the extra day on this side of the pond. Now, though, the familiar routine of deadlines and meetings — however they occur — has predictably returned. What can you do? Despite the uncertainty, the world keeps spinning. So to push back, we are quaffing cups of stimulation. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits to get you going. Have a productive day and stay safe. …
Merck (MRK) is entering the Covid-19 arena with plans to develop two different vaccines and is also licensing an oral drug that might treat the coronavirus, STAT writes. Merck is buying Themis, which is developing an experimental shot based on a measles vaccine that could begin human studies soon. And the drug maker is partnering with IAVI, the nonprofit, to develop a Covid-19 vaccine related to an existing Merck Ebola vaccine that could enter human studies later this year. Merck is also licensing an experimental drug from Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.
Continue to STAT Plus to read the full story…
