Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ERVEBO (Ebola Zaire Vaccine, Live) (pronounced er-VEE-boh) for the prevention of disease caused by Zaire ebolavirus in individuals 18 years of age and older.

The duration of protection conferred by ERVEBO is unknown. ERVEBO does not protect against other species of Ebolavirus or Marburgvirus. Effectiveness of the vaccine when administered concurrently with antiviral medication, immune globulin (IG), and/or blood or plasma transfusions is unknown. Do not administer ERVEBO to individuals with a history of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine, including rice protein.

'Approval of this vaccine by the FDA represents another important milestone in the global response to Ebola Virus Disease and stands as a tremendous accomplishment by a unique global partnership,' said Dr. Roger M. Perlmutter president, Merck Research Laboratories. 'In acknowledging this event, I wish in particular to recognize the heroic efforts being made by frontline responders to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are proud and honored to play a role in supporting their vital activities, and we remain focused on the important work ahead.'

'Having an Ebola vaccine approved by the FDA is a significant milestone in Ebola preparedness and prevention efforts,' said Rick Bright, Ph.D., deputy assistant secretary for preparedness and response and director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). 'At BARDA, we are tremendously proud to have been a part of this unprecedented collaboration between private and public sectors in multiple countries that has led to this important moment in public health history.'

As previously announced, Merck is working to initiate manufacturing of licensed doses and expects these doses to start becoming available in approximately the third quarter of 2020. Merck is working closely with the U.S. government, WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance) to plan for how eventual, licensed doses will support future public health preparedness and response efforts against Zaire ebolavirus disease.

During this transition period, Merck continues to work urgently with its partners to ensure uninterrupted access to the investigational Ebola Zaire vaccine (V920) in support of ongoing international response efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries. Merck has, to date, shipped more than 275,000 1.0mL doses of V920 based on requests by the WHO.

Merck has also made submissions to African country national regulatory authorities in collaboration with the African Vaccine Regulatory Forum (AVAREF), that will allow the vaccine to be registered in African countries considered to be at-risk for Ebola outbreaks by the WHO.

Selected Safety Information for ERVEBO

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Do not administer ERVEBO to individuals with a history of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine, including rice protein.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Management of Acute Allergic Reactions

Among 15,399 subjects vaccinated with ERVEBO, there were two reports of anaphylaxis. Monitor individuals for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions following vaccination with ERVEBO. Appropriate medical treatment and supervision must be available in case of an anaphylactic event following the administration of ERVEBO.

Limitations of Vaccine Effectiveness

Vaccination with ERVEBO may not protect all individuals. Vaccinated individuals should continue to adhere to infection control practices to prevent Zaire ebolavirus infection and transmission.

Immunocompromised Individuals

The safety and effectiveness of ERVEBO have not been assessed in immunocompromised individuals. The effectiveness of ERVEBO in immunocompromised individuals may be diminished. The risk of vaccination with ERVEBO, a live virus vaccine, in immunocompromised individuals should be weighed against the risk of disease due to Zaire ebolavirus.

Transmission

Vaccine virus RNA has been detected by RT-PCR in blood, saliva, urine, and fluid from skin vesicles of vaccinated adults. Transmission of vaccine virus is a theoretical possibility.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The clinical development program for ERVEBO included clinical studies conducted in North America, Europe and Africa, in which a total of 15,399 adults received a dose of ERVEBO. The total number of subjects vaccinated with ERVEBO in double-blind, placebo-controlled trials was 1,712 and in open label trials was 13,687.

The most common injection-site adverse reactions reported by subjects taking ERVEBO in Study 1 (N=500) were injection-site pain (34.0%) and redness/swelling (2%). The most common injection-site adverse reactions reported by subjects taking ERVEBO in Study 2 (N=1051) were injection-site pain (70.0%), swelling (17%), and redness (12%).

The most common systemic adverse reactions reported following vaccination with ERVEBO in Study 1 (N=498) were headache (37%), feverishness (34%), muscle pain (33%), fatigue (19%), nausea (8%), joint pain/tenderness (7%), rash (4%), and abnormal sweating (3%). The most common systemic adverse reactions reported following vaccination with ERVEBO in Study 2 (N=1051) were joint pain (18%), arthritis (5%), rash (4%), and vesicular lesions (2%).

Arthralgia was reported to occur in 7% to 40% of vaccine recipients in blinded, placebo-controlled studies. Severe arthralgia, defined as preventing daily activity, was reported in up to 3% of subjects.

Arthritis (including events of arthritis, joint effusion, joint swelling, osteoarthritis, monoarthritis or polyarthritis) was reported to occur in 0% to 24% of subjects in blinded, placebo-controlled studies in which subjects received ERVEBO or a lower dose formulation, with all but one study reporting arthritis in

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