WHO To Review Merck's Investigation Ebola Vaccine For Emergency Use Assessment

(RTTNews) - Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK), known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, said that the World Health Organization or WHO will review the company's investigational Ebola Zaire vaccine, V920, for emergency use assessment and listing or EUAL.

According to the WHO, the EUAL process is designed to expedite the availability of vaccines needed for public health emergencies such as another outbreak of Ebola. The procedure is intended to assist United Nations' procurement agencies and Member States on the acceptability of using a vaccine candidate in an emergency-use setting.

Merck noted that the decision to grant V920 EUAL status will be based on data regarding quality, safety, and efficacy/effectiveness; as well as a risk/benefit analysis for emergency use.

While EUAL designation allows for emergency use, the vaccine remains investigational and has not yet been licensed for commercial distribution.