Merck & Co terminates its COVID-19 vaccine programme after the unexpected results

Merck & Co (MSD) has terminated its COVID-19 vaccine programme after the unexpected Phase I results for its candidates V590 and V591.

Immune responses for V590 and V591 were subordinate to those witnessed in those reported for other vaccines, as well as recovered COVID-19 patients.

Merck is preparing to submit the results for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

President, Merck Research Laboratories, Dean Li, stated: “We are grateful to our collaborators who worked with us on these vaccine candidates and to the volunteers in the trials. We are resolute in our commitment to contribute to the global effort to relieve the burden of this pandemic on patients, healthcare systems and communities.”