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# Merck Pneumococcal Vaccine Hits Phase 3 Marks
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/merck-pneumococcal-vaccine-hits-phase-3-marks/
- Published: 2023-07-27T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T18:46:48.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Biologics, #legacy-id-D5154976

Merck says its investigational 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine V116 met key immunogenicity and safety endpoints in two Phase 3 trials. V116 was tested on vaccine-naïve and previously vaccinated individuals. The company [says](https://www.merck.com/news/merck-announces-v116-an-investigational-21-valent-pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccine-specifically-designed-for-adults-met-key-immunogenicity-and-safety-endpoints-in-two-phase-3-trials/?ref=fdaweb.com) that if V116 is approved, it would be the first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine specifically designed for adults.

Pre-pandemic 2019 Centers for Disease Control data showed that the 21 serotypes covered by the investigational vaccine were responsible for 85% of invasive pneumococcal disease in adults age 65 and over, Merck says. V116 includes eight serotypes not currently covered by approved pneumococcal vaccines, it says.