Quick Hits: EU Approves Human Ebola Vaccine

A recent engadget article noted the first human Ebola vaccine to receive EU approval. Merck’s ERVEBO is the product of a unique collaboration between the Public Health Agency of Canada and the US Army over ten years ago. Merck acquired the rights to develop the vaccine after the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. On November 11th, the vaccine received a “conditional marketing authorization,” a distinction typically designated for medicines that treat unmet medical needs.

ERVEBO showed early signs of success yielding 100% effective results in preliminary testing in Guinea, and Merck donated over a quarter million doses to the World Health Organization. The vaccine is under priority review with the US FDA, and Merck plans to begin manufacturing the drug in Germany in the third quarter of 2020.