Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), an emerging infectious disease of growing global importance, has caused severe acute respiratory disease in more than 1500 people, resulting in more 500 deaths. The high case fatality rate, growing geographic distribution and vaguely defined epidemiology have created an urgent need for effective public health countermeasures. Despite the relatively few number of cases to date, research and development of diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic products for MERS-CoV are advancing quickly.