Merck & Co Inc has signed offers to promote over 6 million programs of its experimental COVID-19 tablet molnupiravir to governments world wide as nations attempt to tame the pandemic.
Merck’s COVID-19 therapy will not be the one one within the recreation. U.S. peer Pfizer Inc halted early a trial of its antiviral drug Paxlovid after it proved to chop the chance of extreme COVID-19 by 89%, outdoing the outcomes seen with Merck’s product.
Pfizer stated final week it struck a $5.29 billion take care of the U.S. authorities to ship 10 million programs of its experimental COVID-19 tablet.
Earlier, the corporate stated it could enable generic producers to provide its tablet to 95 low- and middle-income international locations via licensing agreements with worldwide public well being group Medicines Patent Pool (MPP).
Merck has licensing pacts for its COVID-19 tablet in additional than 100 international locations. U.S. approval for each experimental tablets continues to be pending.
Whereas Pfizer expects to submit interim trial outcomes for its tablet to U.S. Meals and Drug Administration earlier than the Thanksgiving vacation on Nov. 25, overview of the corporate’s Paxlovid by European Medicines Company (EMA) began final Friday.
Merck’s molnupiravir obtained its first regulatory approval globally in Britain, the place it’s deliberate to be marketed beneath the LAGEVRIO trademark.
Though it’s nonetheless beneath overview within the European Union, confronted with rising COVID-19 instances, EMA issued on Friday recommendation on utilizing Merck’s COVID-19 tablet for adults forward of offering any wider advice.
Germany stated final week it’s in talks with Pfizer, Merck (recognized in Europe beneath the MSD identify) and “all those that have promising medicines” on COVID-19 therapy.
(Reuters)