Publications
Publications
- October 2020
- HBS Case Collection
Merck: COVID-19 Vaccines
By: Willy C. Shih
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.
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