Merck wanted to make Covid-19 vaccines, but its own candidates flopped. In a twist, the drugmaker struck a partnership with rival Johnson & Johnson.
Yet if enough doses are made, the vaccine still can play an important role in the pandemic becauseto other shots and J&J’s vaccine is easier to handle and store, public-health advocates and Wall Street analysts say.
“Our vaccine is uniquely positioned to be used in the world,” said Remo Colarusso, J&J’s global pharmaceuticals manufacturing chief. “The world is not completely vaccinated by a long shot.” During a Jan. 4 call between U.S. officials, Dr. Stoffels and then-Merck Chief Executive Ken Frazier, the companies agreed to assess whether Merck’s plants could adapt to make J&J’s shot, the people said.
“Our issue then became what equipment do we need, where can we get it, how quickly can we get it, is it available, and if not, then what’s our alternatives?” said Mr. McGrath, an industry veteran who joined Merck in 2019. In May, Merck workers discovered another issue with the vials while doing test-runs of the production line using water. They became top-heavy with water when filled. To resolve the issue, a Merck machinist designed a plate that held the containers securely, said Kim Dezura, the West Point plant manager.
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