• The COVID-19 antiviral course will be supplied only after FDA provides a EUA.
• Molnupiravir is currently in its phase 3 clinical trial.

Merck & Co. Inc. has reportedly entered a supply agreement with the U.S. government for molnupiravir, an oral antiviral drug for treating mild to moderate COVID-19. The American pharmaceutical giant would receive approximately USD 1.2 billion from the U.S government for supplying around 1.7 million courses.

According to reliable sources, Merck will supply these antiviral courses only after it receives a EUA from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Molnupiravir, which is co-developed with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, is currently in its Phase 3 clinical trial called the MOVe-OUT study.

For those unaware, molnupiravir can potentially prevent the replications of multiple RNA viruses including SARS-CoV-1, MERS, and SARS-COV-2. The antiviral, at present, is in its phase 3 trial to evaluate its potential to reduce hospitalization as well as mortality rates.

Merck, meanwhile, has been making significant investments to upscale the production of molnupiravir and expects to produce around 10 million doses of the antiviral by the fourth quarter of 2021.

Rob Davis, President at Merck & Co., was quoted saying that the supply agreement with the U.S. government will help in providing easy access to molnupiravir which is yet to receive a EUA. He added that apart from the U.S. distribution deal, the company is also working towards making the drug available across the globe.

Merck claims to have signed various non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements with esteemed manufacturers to enhance the accessibility of molnupiravir in low- and middle-income countries, after obtaining relevant authorization or approvals.

Apart from developing molnupiravir, Merck has also been contributing to the pandemic response by teaming up with Johnson & Johnson to boost the production capabilities of its COVID-19 vaccine.

Source credits –

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210609005142/en/Merck-Announces-Supply-Agreement-with-U.S.-Government-for-Molnupiravir-an-Investigational-Oral-Antiviral-Candidate-for-Treatment-of-Mild-to-Moderate-COVID-19