Merck To Start Pivotal Trial For Next-Gen Pneumococcal Vaccine Next Month - Merck & Co (NYSE:MRK)

Merck & Co Inc MRK presented results from the Phase 1/2 study, evaluating V116 in pneumococcal vaccine-naïve adults 18-49 years of age (Phase 1) and 50 years of age and older (Phase 2).
Data were shared at the International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases.
V116 targets serotypes that account for 85% of cases of invasive pneumococcal disease among individuals aged 65 and over in the U.S., including eight serotypes not currently covered by licensed vaccines.
V116 met the primary immunogenicity objectives in both populations and was well-tolerated with an overall safety profile comparable to Pneumovax 23 (Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent) across age groups.
In the Phase 2 part of the study, V116 demonstrated non-inferior immune responses to Pneumovax 23 for all shared serotypes and superior immune responses for the serotypes included in V116 but not included in Pneumovax 23.
In both parts of the trial, V116 was well tolerated with an overall safety profile comparable to Pneumovax 23.
Merck plans to start a broad Phase 3 program for V116 in vaccine-naïve and vaccine-experienced adults in July 2022.
Price Action: MRK shares are up 1.54% at $85.92 on the last check Tuesday.