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WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck & Co. has gained exclusive rights to market and distribute the MassBiologics tetanus and diphtheria toxoids adsorbed vaccine in the United States.
The pharmaceutical giant said Wednesday that the agreement with Boston-based MassBiologics (MBL), which is part of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, doesn’t include Massachusetts, where MBL will continue distributing the vaccine.
Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. Merck plans to begin distributing the vaccine in June.
"Adult vaccination is an important element in Merck’s commitment to help people be well, and we are delighted to partner with MBL to add tetanus-diphtheria vaccine to our broad U.S. portfolio of adult vaccines," Soren Bo Christiansen, senior vice president and general manager, Adolescent & Adult Vaccines, Merck Vaccines, said in a statement. "This agreement is another example of how Merck engages in partnerships that will enable us to bring the most robust portfolio of products to our customers."
The MassBiologics’ tetanus-diphtheria vaccine was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration in 1970. The vaccine is indicated for active immunization for the prevention of tetanus and diphtheria and is approved for use in people age 7 and older.