Merck Discloses Passive Stake in Evaxion Biotech

TL;DR

**Merck just bought a chunk of Evaxion, signaling big pharma's interest in the biotech.**

AI Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has filed an SC 13G, disclosing its ownership of Evaxion Biotech A/S (EVAX) Ordinary Shares as of December 21, 2023. This filing indicates that Merck has acquired a significant, passive stake in Evaxion, a biological products company. For investors, this signals a potential vote of confidence from a major pharmaceutical player in Evaxion's technology or pipeline, which could positively influence market perception and future valuations for EVAX stock.

Why It Matters

A major pharmaceutical company like Merck taking a stake in a smaller biotech firm often validates the smaller company's potential, potentially attracting more investor interest and capital.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: low — This filing indicates a passive investment by a large, stable company, which generally reduces risk for the target company.

Analyst Insight

A smart investor would research Evaxion Biotech A/S's pipeline and financials, considering that a major player like Merck sees value in its shares, potentially indicating future growth or partnership opportunities.

Key Players & Entities

• Merck & Co., Inc. (company) — filer of the SC 13G, investor in Evaxion Biotech A/S
• Evaxion Biotech A/S (company) — subject company, issuer of the securities
• December 21, 2023 (date) — date of the event requiring the filing
• Ordinary Shares, DKK 1 nominal value per share (company) — class of securities acquired by Merck
• 29970R204 (company) — CUSIP number for Evaxion's American Depositary Shares

Forward-Looking Statements

• Evaxion Biotech A/S may see increased investor interest and potentially a higher stock valuation due to Merck's disclosed stake. (Evaxion Biotech A/S) — medium confidence, target: Q1 2024
• Merck & Co., Inc. will maintain its passive investment in Evaxion Biotech A/S, as indicated by the SC 13G filing. (Merck & Co., Inc.) — high confidence, target: Q4 2024

FAQ

From the Filing

0000895345-24-000014.txt : 20240123 0000895345-24-000014.hdr.sgml : 20240123 20240123152911 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000895345-24-000014 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13G PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 FILED AS OF DATE: 20240123 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20240123 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Evaxion Biotech A/S CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001828253 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS (NO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES) [2836] ORGANIZATION NAME: 03 Life Sciences IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: G7 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13G SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-94294 FILM NUMBER: 24552312 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: DR NEERGAARDS VEJ 5F CITY: HOERSHOLM STATE: G7 ZIP: 2970 BUSINESS PHONE: 004531262615 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: DR NEERGAARDS VEJ 5F CITY: HOERSHOLM STATE: G7 ZIP: 2970 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Merck & Co., Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000310158 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834] ORGANIZATION NAME: 03 Life Sciences IRS NUMBER: 221918501 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NJ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13G BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2000 GALLOPING HILL ROAD CITY: KENILWORTH STATE: NJ ZIP: 07033 BUSINESS PHONE: 908-740-4000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2000 GALLOPING HILL ROAD CITY: KENILWORTH STATE: NJ ZIP: 07033 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: Merck & Co. Inc. DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20091103 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: SCHERING PLOUGH CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 SC 13G 1 ff2943026_13g-evaxion.htm   UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549   SCHEDULE 13G   Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )*   Evaxion Biotech A/S (Name of Issuer)   Ordinary Shares, DKK 1 nominal value per share (Title of Class of Securities)   29970R204** (CUSIP Number)   December 21, 2023 (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)   Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed: ☐ Rule 13d-1(b) ☒ Rule 13d-1(c) ☐ Rule 13d-1(d) * The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. ** This CUSIP number applies to the American Depositary Shares, each representing ten Ordinary Shares, DKK 1 nominal value per share. No CUSIP number has been assigned to the Ordinary Shares.   The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). CUSIP No. 29970R204 13G Page 2 of 8 Pages 1 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS     Merck & Co., Inc.         2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP     (a) ☐     (b) ☐     3 SEC USE ONLY               4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION     New Jersey         NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 5 SOLE VOTING POWER     0         6 SHARED VOTING POWER     4,595,588 (1)         7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER     0         8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER     4,595,588 (1)         9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON     4,595,588 (1)         10 CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)     ☐         11 PERCENT