Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • October 2020
  • Teaching Plan
  • HBS Case Collection

Merck: COVID-19 Vaccines

By: Willy C. Shih
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:20
ShareBar

Abstract

COVID-19 infections were still climbing across the U.S. and many other parts of the world in September 2020, and it seemed that every time Ken Frazier, the CEO of Merck & Co. consented to an interview in recent months he always seemed to hear the same question, “Where’s Merck?” The company, a leader in the global vaccine business had a low public profile even though it was working assiduously on two vaccine candidates for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The U.S. Government had initiated a high profile program—Operation Warp Speed (OWS)—to accelerate the development of vaccines, but Merck was notably absent. Should Merck seek or accept funding from OWS, and what terms might accompany such an agreement?

Keywords

Vaccines; Health Pandemics; Health Testing and Trials; Innovation and Management; Innovation Strategy; Research and Development; Business Strategy; Pharmaceutical Industry; United States

Citation

Shih, Willy C. "Merck: COVID-19 Vaccines." Harvard Business School Teaching Plan 621-067, October 2020.
  • Purchase

About The Author

Willy C. Shih

Technology and Operations Management
→More Publications

More from the Author

    • November 15, 2022
    • Harvard Business Review Digital Articles

    What Really Makes Toyota’s Production System Resilient

    By: Willy C. Shih
    • October 21, 2022
    • Harvard Business Review Digital Articles

    Climate Regulations Are About to Disrupt Global Shipping

    By: Willy C. Shih
    • August 1, 2022
    • Wall Street Journal

    The Supply Chain, Explained

    By: Willy C. Shih
More from the Author
  • What Really Makes Toyota’s Production System Resilient By: Willy C. Shih
  • Climate Regulations Are About to Disrupt Global Shipping By: Willy C. Shih
  • The Supply Chain, Explained By: Willy C. Shih
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College