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The Wall Street Journal reported that Merck’s Covid-19 vaccine candidate will begin a Phase 1/2 trial to evaluate safety and whether or not the vaccine creates an immune response to the novel coronavirus. The study is looking to enroll 260 people in Belgium, and is projected to be completed in April, The Journal reported, citing clincicaltrials.gov—though that may prove conservative. Phase 3 data from competing vaccines to determine effectiveness are expected to begin rolling out this fall.

https://www.barrons.com/articles/news-updates-51599826515?mod=hp_LEAD_1_B_3

The phase 1/2 trial, which is based in Belgium, aims to recruit 260 healthy participants to test the experimental vaccine V591, which it gained access to as part of its May deal for Austrian vaccine maker Themis Bioscience.

https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-merck-co/update-1-merck-starts-recruitment-for-covid-19-vaccine-trial-idUSL4N2G83QW

The vaccine is based on a modified measles virus that delivers bits of the new coronavirus into the body to prevent COVID-19.

The drugmaker is also collaborating with research non-profit IAVI on a second vaccine candidate that uses the same technology as Merck’s Ebola vaccine, ERVEBO.

Earlier this month, Chief Executive Kenneth Frazier had said the second candidate is likely to begin trials later this year.