(Reuters) – U.S. drugmaker Merck & Co said on Wednesday it had sold its equity investment in vaccine developer Moderna Inc. Merck said it had achieved a substantial gain on its direct holding in Moderna, particularly this year, as the company moved closer to developing a coronavirus vaccine. Merck did not disclose the details of the sale proceeds, but said it expects to record a small gain from the sale in the fourth quarter of 2020. Moderna’s shares have risen more than seven-fold this year, valuing the company at $55.80 billion as of Tuesday’s closing price. Moderna is one of the front-runners in the race to develop a coronavirus vaccine, and on Monday filed for U.S. emergency use authorization of its vaccine. Merck, which had invested $50 million in Moderna in 2015, said it would retain exposure to the company indirectly through its investment in venture funds. Nick Note: I smell a rat. Why when this “wonder drug” is getting world wide approval why would Merck sell out? Maybe they know something we do not know. So i fired up my rolladex and spoke with a old client in Belgium who tried to fuck me into getting a penicillin factory for free… they leaked pencil into the ecosystem. And the liability was/is in the billions. He told me nothing personal. I told him its ALWAYS personal with me. Any way my “friend” should be say aware of the Belgium vaccine manufacturing industry. As luck would have it the monkey vaccine has its main manufacturing facilities their. SO I asked what is the real deal? After the normal mumble jumble about what a great breakthrough this “wonder drug” is he said well maybe their are issue. Such as? Well the monkey DNA used in time could cause “complications”. like paralysis, Some “issue”. OK so what else… He said well since it was rushed and “officially” follow up was only for 30 days after the study., SO i asked the obvious what happens after time. After a long pause he said the number of antibodies drop quickly. So i said in other word in 6 month you have no immunity. Where he quickly chimed in SO its just like the flue vaccine… nothing lasts forever. And he then volunteered we get to sell them the vaccine all over again…… Have a nice day!