Merck enters Covid-19 vaccine development fray

Merck, one of the largest vaccine makers in the world, is entering the Covid-19 arena with an announcement it is developing two different vaccines for Covid-19 and is also licensing an oral drug that might treat the virus. To do this, it is buying Vienna-based Themis, which is developing an experimental Covid-19 vaccine based on a measles vaccine that could begin human studies soon. It is partnering with the nonprofit IAVI on the development of a vaccine related to Merck's existing Ebola vaccine. And it is licensing an experimental drug from a small company called Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.

After severe vaccine reaction, Moderna trial participant is still a believer

Twelve hours after receiving his second dose of an experimental Covid-19 vaccine made by Moderna Therapeutics, 29-year-old Ian Haydon developed a fever of more than 103 degrees. He went to urgent care and then, after being released back home, briefly fainted. He’s one of four people in the 45-person trial to experience “Grade 3” adverse events to the vaccine.

Still, Hayden, who spoke publicly about the experience for the first time with STAT's Matthew Herper, said that he believes in the vaccine’s importance — and is still willing to be exposed to the novel coronavirus to test its efficacy. He sees his story as a cautionary tale for those people who want to race a vaccine to market regardless of consequences.

“I understand that sharing the story, it’s going to be frightening to some people,” he said. “I hope that it doesn’t fuel any sort of general antagonism towards vaccines in general or even this vaccine.”

Pharma tries to keep global supply chains intact

Pharma supply chains have been fractured in the wake of the novel coronavirus. So U.S. lawmakers are calling for more medications to be made exclusively in the U.S. — introducing some 20 bills to overhaul drug manufacturing logistics. This, STAT’s Nicholas Florko writes, is an existential threat for much of the industry.

To counter the efforts, the pharmaceutical industry is deploying its substantial lobbying power — aiming to keep new restrictions at bay. The industry is also trying to craft alternative proposals that might slake the government’s thirst to domesticate the supply chain without completely upending the status quo.