Download MERCK COMMITS TO PROVIDING EBOLA VACCINE AT LOWEST

MERCK COMMITS TO PROVIDING EBOLA VACCINE AT LOWEST
PRICE TO GAVI COUNTRIES
Jacques Cholat, MD., president of Merck Vaccines, made the
following statement at the Gavi pledging and replenishment event in
Berlin on Jan. 26, 2014:
“On behalf of Merck and NewLink Genetics, I am pleased to announce
that we are committed to provide our investigational Ebola (rVSV-EBOV)
vaccine to Gavi-eligible countries at the lowest possible access price.
The (rVSV-EBOV) vaccine is currently in clinical development. If the
vaccine meets regulatory standards for safety and effectiveness in
clinical trials and is appropriately licensed, Merck will work to make the
vaccine available to the world’s poorest countries at the lowest possible
price.
“The vaccine, originally developed by the Public Health Agency of
Canada, is currently being evaluated in Phase I clinical studies in
humans. In addition, the US National Institutes of Health plans to initiate
a large randomized, controlled Phase II/III study to evaluate the safety
and efficacy of this and another investigational Ebola vaccine candidate - this study is scheduled to begin in Liberia in the coming weeks.
Providing effective Ebola vaccines to countries that need it most is a
critical component of comprehensive prevention and control measures for
people currently at risk of Ebola virus infection, and to stem future
outbreaks. Merck’s access pricing for Gavi countries will help achieve
sustainable availability of the vaccine in the most resource-constrained
countries of the world.
“We will provide this Ebola vaccine in partnership with NewLink Genetics.
Merck entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with
NewLink Genetics to advance the public health response to this urgent
international health priority.
“We are working with regulatory authorities to expedite submitting all
necessary information needed to make the vaccine available to as many
people at risk of Ebola virus infection as possible.
On behalf of Merck and NewLink Genetics, I thank you!”