- The Phase 3 segment of a Phase 2/3 trial, called STRIVE, evaluating the Ebola vaccine candidate, rVSV-ZEBOV-GP, has been initiated in Sierra Leone. The study will involve 6,000 health and front-line workers in several West African countries in the Basse Guinee region, which dealt with the most Ebola infections. The study in Guinea commenced a couple of weeks ago.
- rVSV-ZEBOV-GP was originally developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada. It licensed it to NewLink Genetics (NLNK) who, in turn, licensed it to Merck (MRK +2%).
- Previously: Phase 3 trials for Merck-NewLink Ebola vaccine start this week in Guinea (March 5)