Molnupiravir cut the rate of hospitalizations and deaths by half among individuals with early symptoms of COVID-19, according to Merck.
Merck is gaining a lot of attention these past few weeks. With its COVID-19 pill, molnupiravir, many believe that the company is changing the conversation around the coronavirus pandemic.
Antibody and antiviral drugs are nothing new in the COVID-19 era. But, there are not many treatments available to treat the virus.
In addition, the existing drugs to manage COVID-19 are not reportedly very effective, and have been difficult to administer. This makes molnupiravir stand out from the rest because it could be taken at home. Moreover, a recent study showed that the pill cut COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths in half.
Weeks after seeking approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Merck is now in agreement with Medicines Patent Pool. NPR reported that this allows the United Nations-backed organisation to license the manufacturing of molnupiravir to various pharmaceutical companies.
Agreement between Merck and Medicines Patent Pool
On Wednesday, Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), alongside the drugmaker, announced that the pact will help “create broad access” to the COVID-19 pill. This is especially true for the 105 low- and middle-income nations across the globe.
The organisation’s Executive Director, Charles Gore consequently said that the interim results for molnupiravir are “compelling,” adding that it is a “potentially important tool” amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He also noted that the agreement is MPP’s “first voluntary license for a COVID-19 medical technology.”
No royalties amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Merck and its partner, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, will receive no royalties under the deal with MPP. This will stay in effect until the World Health Organization no longer considers COVID-19 as a global emergency.
Charles Gore, later on, added that he hoped for the agreement to become a “strong encouragement” to others. This comes as no vaccine makers have yet to close a similar deal, despite repeated requests from governments and health agencies.
Reports said that the World Health Organization set up a hub in South Africa for sharing mRNA vaccine recipes, as well as technologies. However, it has not “enticed” a single pharmaceutical company to join.
About molnupiravir
Molnupiravir is an antiviral drug to treat COVID-19. Considering that it is a pill, patients may take them at home, making it far more convenient than any other existing treatment for the virus.
It works by inhibiting the replication of SARS-CoV-2. By doing so, it prevents the virus from spreading further inside the body.
Merck has already requested the U.S. FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to license molnupiravir. Decisions from the health regulators will likely emerge in the next few weeks.
Images courtesy of NBC News/YouTube