Merck COVID-19 Vaccines Discarded Due to Low Efficacy

Two vaccines developed to prevent infection with the novel coronavirus have been abandoned due to poor performance in clinical trials. Manufactured by Durham, North Carolina-based Merck in partnership with the nonprofit organization IAVI, the two vaccines showed little ability to generate a strong immune response in initial clinical trials. Due to the disappointing results, the company has decided to forgo moving the vaccines to larger trials. Merck will now pivot to focus on its antiviral drug molnupiravir, which has shown preliminary success in treating COVID-19 illness. Click here to read more.