Merck is paying $9.2 billion to acquire a drug company primarily for an experimental antiviral flu-prevention drug, marketed specifically as “not a vaccine.”
TrialSite News reported that Merck’s move to acquire Cidara Therapeutics marks a “strategic pivot” toward long-acting antivirals as demand for traditional flu vaccines drops amid failure to match the circulating flu strain.
Daniel O’Connor, founder and CEO of TrialSite News, told The Defender:
“Whether industry leaders admit it publicly or not, Merck’s pivot reflects a market transformed by vaccine fatigue. After years of polarized debate and fluctuating efficacy, long-acting antivirals could be emerging as a politically safer, commercially scalable alternative — and Merck clearly wants to lead that post-vaccine era.”
Merck said in a press release that it will acquire Cidara via a subsidiary for $221.50 per share in cash — more than double the company’s last closing price, CNBC reported. The deal is expected to close in early 2026.
“That’s a lot of money,” Dr. Meryl Nass told The Defender. TrialSite News said Merck’s move raises the question of whether “strategic desperation inflated the price.”
James Harlow, senior vice president at Novare Capital Management, told CNBC, “There definitely seems to be a sense of urgency at Merck to add growth to their pipeline via deals.”
Reuters reported that Merck appears to be diversifying its product portfolio ahead of losing the patent to its lucrative cancer drug Keytruda.
Merck highlights that drug is ‘not a vaccine’
Merck pursued the acquisition largely to secure Cidara’s CD388, an experimental drug designed to prevent seasonal influenza infections.
The company’s press release stressed that the drug is “not a vaccine.”
Harlow told CNBC that CD388’s “non-vaccine nature” is significant given the current “uncertainty” surrounding how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) view vaccines.
CD388 is a long-acting antiviral that uses a fragment of a human antibody to prevent seasonal and pandemic influenza. Unlike annual flu vaccines that often miss the circulating strains, the drug is “strain-agnostic,” meaning that it targets most influenza A and B viruses.
And since CD388 is not a vaccine, its efficacy doesn’t depend on generating an immune response — a feature Merck believes will make it effective regardless of a person’s immune status.
Jeffrey Stein, Ph.D., Cidara’s president and CEO, said in Merck’s press release that the drug offers “an additional option to vaccines and antivirals to help address unmet needs in influenza prevention.”
Merck’s chairman and CEO, Robert M. Davis, said that he’s confident CD388 “has the potential to be another important driver of growth through the next decade, creating real value for shareholders.”
A ‘breakthrough? Or ‘clearly not clinically significant’?
Merck’s flu antiviral is in Phase 3 clinical trials involving about 6,000 adolescents and adults in the U.S. and U.K. who face higher risks of flu complications, according to the press release.
The FDA granted the drug “fast track” status in June 2023 and, after reviewing Phase 2b results last month, designated the drug a “breakthrough therapy,” a move that could reduce regulatory hurdles.
Stein said the Phase 2b trial delivered “compelling results” of CD388’s potential effectiveness.
However, Ronald Brown, Ph.D., a public health researcher at the University of Waterloo in Canada, who reviewed the Phase 2b trial data, told The Defender the results are “clearly not clinically significant.” He said:
“The results for efficacy of the primary endpoint are reported as relative risk reductions: 450 mg [milligrams] (76.1%), 300 mg (61.3%), and 150 mg (57.7%).
“But it is important to also consider the unreported absolute risk reductions, which are the actual percentage point differences in outcomes between the two groups, offering a more direct measure of efficacy: 2.1%, 1.7%, and 1.6%.”
In other words, the drug reduced a person’s chance of getting the flu by only about 2%.
Merck did not respond to our comment request by the deadline. Cidara declined to comment.
Nass noted that even if the antiviral proves highly effective, the CDC has long relied on annual flu vaccine campaigns and may resist moving away from a shot-based model.
“We had a huge embedded culture where the flu vaccine program was CDC’s biggest program every year,” she said.
However, the CDC could shift its approach under U.S. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Nass suggested. “Would he be able to get the employees at the CDC to make the pivot to not doing it anymore? I think it would be a very good thing if that happens,” she said.
In February, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services directed the CDC to shut down its long-running “Wild to Mild” flu vaccine ad campaign and shift the agency’s focus to informed consent. The campaign targeted pregnant women and children.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
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The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
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As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.