The FDA decision on Merck’s (MRK) V116, an investigational, 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumococcal pneumonia in the adult population is due on June 17, 2024.V116 utilizes the CRM197 vaccine carrier protein, which is produced using Ligand Pharma’s patent-protected Pelican Expression Technology platform. If approved, Ligand is entitled to a royalty on worldwide net sales.If granted approval, V116 would be the first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine tailored explicitly for adults.LGND closed Wednesday’s trading at $84.95, down 1.20%.