Merck and Co Inc (MRK)

[DewDiligence]

MRK goes all-in on COVID-19 with three deals…

1. Acquisition of (private) Themis for an undisclosed price:
https://www.mrknewsroom.com/news-release/research-and-development-news/merck-acquire-themis

Themis has a broad pipeline of vaccine candidates and immune-modulatory therapies developed using its innovative measles virus vector platform based on a vector originally developed by scientists at the Institut Pasteur…

2. Collaboration with (non-profit) IAVI and BARDA:
https://www.mrknewsroom.com/news-release/research-and-development-news/iavi-and-merck-collaborate-develop-vaccine-against-sars-c

This vaccine candidate will use the recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) technology that is the basis for Merck’s Ebola Zaire virus vaccine, ERVEBO (Ebola Zaire Vaccine, Live), which was the first rVSV vaccine approved for use in humans. Merck has also signed an agreement with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA…to provide initial funding support for this effort.

3. License of (private) Ridgeback Therapeutics’ EIDD-2801
https://www.mrknewsroom.com/news-release/research-and-development-news/merck-and-ridgeback-bio-collaborate-advance-development-n

Under terms of the agreement, Merck…will gain exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize EIDD-2801 and related molecules. Ridgeback Bio will receive an undisclosed upfront payment, specified milestones and a share of the net proceeds of EIDD-2801 and related molecules, if approved. Merck will be responsible for clinical development, regulatory filings and manufacturing.