Merck & Co. said Monday that it is stopping the development of its two experimental Covid-19 vaccines, after early clinical trial data showed that the shots caused disappointing immune responses against the virus.
Early studies of the vaccines indicated that it elicited inferior immune responses in subjects, given the shots compared to people who survived Covid-19 or took authorized Covid-19 vaccines, the company said.
The exit removes a major vaccine player from the constellation of companies looking for shots to limit the spread of the virus, as the few companies that were able to bring shots to market are struggling to meet the huge demand.
Kenilworth, Merck of NJ, one of the world’s leading vaccine manufacturers, said he was now focusing on promoting two experimental Covid-19 drugs.
Merck said it expects test results for the few drugs in the coming weeks, and the company could ask regulators to approve the use if the results are positive.