Merck ends COVID-19 vaccine development

• Vaccines by its competitors, Pfizer and Moderna, have already received emergency authorization in the U.S.

What's next: Merck said it will continue to advance clinical programs for two treatments in the late stages of development.

What they're saying: “We are grateful to our collaborators who worked with us on these vaccine candidates and to the volunteers in the trials,” said Dr. Dean Y. Li, president of Merck Research Laboratories.

• “We are resolute in our commitment to contribute to the global effort to relieve the burden of this pandemic on patients, health care systems and communities.”