Dec. 20 Quick Takes: Merck KGaA acquires neurology company Chord 

The acquisition of Chord Therapeutics S.a.r.l. by Merck KGaA (Xetra:MRK) for an undisclosed sum delivers a quick return for Omega Funds, the lone investor in the Swiss start-up’s $16 million series A round. Chord launched in 2020 to develop established multiple sclerosis drug cladribine in orphan autoimmune indications; the deal reunited Omega with former Wilson Therapeutics AB CSO Tom Plitz, who is Chord’s CEO. Chord is developing an oral formulation of cladribine, a purine nucleoside analog, as CRD1 to treat neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and myasthenia gravis.

Nuvaxovid (NVX-CoV2373) from Novavax Inc. (NASDAQ:NVAX) is set for a European rollout following the European Commission’s authorization Monday to prevent COVID-19 in people 18 and older. The vaccine, which is known as Covovax elsewhere, is a recombinant protein nanoparticle vaccine against a full-length, prefusion stabilized version of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, adjuvanted with the saponin-based Matrix-M. Novavax struck a deal with the EC to supply up to 200 million doses. The WHO’s emergency use listing  of the product last week, was the first authorization of one of the Maryland company’s products, the first adjuvanted and first protein therapy for COVID-19, and the first produced for any indication using an insect cell baculovirus system...