Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) and CEPI Launch Effort to Make Ebola Vaccine Cheaper and Easier to Distribute

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is included among Dividend Contenders List: Top 20 Stocks.

Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash

Reuters reported that Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)’s MSD unit and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) said on January 21 that they are launching a $30 million program to create an updated version of Merck’s Ebola vaccine. The idea is to make the vaccine cheaper and easier to deliver in low- and middle-income countries, where cost and logistics often decide whether people actually get access.

CEPI said the partnership will focus on improving the manufacturing process for Merck’s WHO-prequalified Ebola vaccine, Ervebo. The current production process is not simple. CEPI noted that it is complex, which makes the vaccine expensive and difficult to manufacture at scale.

That matters because even when a vaccine exists, scaling it up quickly is usually the hard part.CEPI said the planned upgrades should increase yield and extend shelf life. The organization added that these changes could also allow Ervebo to be stored in a standard refrigerator for several months. For many public health systems, that is a big deal since it reduces dependence on specialized storage and makes distribution more realistic.

MSD will work with Hilleman Laboratories on the development of the updated vaccine. MSD also said it will explore options to supply public-sector buyers in low- and middle-income countries at a significantly lower price than the current vaccine. CEPI said its funding will support Hilleman’s clinical development work.

Separately, Reuters also reported that Merck raised its outlook for new growth drivers. The company is now forecasting $70 billion in revenue from these newer businesses by the mid-2030s, as it accelerates the launch of additional drugs ahead of looming competition to its blockbuster cancer therapy Keytruda.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) now expects cardiometabolic and respiratory treatments to generate about $20 billion in sales, up from its previous forecast of $15 billion. Infectious disease drugs are projected to contribute roughly $15 billion, compared with an earlier estimate of $5 billion.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a global healthcare giant focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and animal health products to save and improve lives.

READ NEXT: 13 Best Dividend Kings to Buy in 2026 and 14 Best Mid Cap Dividend Aristocrat Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure: None.