(Merck) Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics oral antiviral drug candidate Molnupiravir reduced the risk of Covid-19 hospitalizations or death by about 50% compared to a placebo.
An interim Phase 3 study found that 7.3% of patients under Molnupiravir became hospitalized or died through Day 29, compared with a higher 14.1% for patients treated with the placebo.
Through Day 29, no Molnupiravir-treated patient died, while eight deaths were reported on patients under the placebo.
Merck is planning to file an application with the US Food and Drug Administration for an Emergency Use Authorization for Molnupiravir soonest. It also seeks authorization from other global bodies.
If it gets the approval of the FDA, Molnupiravir will be the first oral antiviral medicine for treating Covid-19.
MRK: NYSE is up +7.35% on premarket.
