Biotech Values

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Re: EIDD-2801> Merck's R&D chief stated "phase 1 studies have demonstrated that the compound is well-tolerated."... however the Phase 1 is still recruiting and scheduled to complete on June 16. Huh?

UPDATED: Backed by BARDA, Merck jumps into Covid-19: buying out a vaccine, partnering on another and adding antiviral to the mix

https://endpts.com/merck-buys-a-covid-19-vaccine-player-adding-a-new-focus-on-pandemic-readiness/

Merck R&D chief Roger Perlmutter laid out the company’s vaccine strategy in a prepared statement:

Building on the pioneering work of the Institut Pasteur, the Themis team has established specialized expertise that complements MSD’s own capabilities in the discovery, development, manufacturing and global distribution of vaccines. We are eager to combine our strengths both to develop an effective COVID-19 vaccine in the near term and to build a pandemic preparedness capability directed toward emerging agents that pose a future epidemic threat.

And the R&D chef had high praise for Ridgeback’s antiviral work as well.

Clinical evaluation of EIDD-2801 in COVID-19 patients is just beginning, now that phase 1 studies have demonstrated that the compound is well-tolerated. Since preclinical studies demonstrate that EIDD-2801 has potent antiviral properties against multiple coronavirus strains including SARS-CoV-2, we are eager to advance the next phase of clinical studies as rapidly and responsibly as possible.

Phase 1...

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04392219