Merck’s drug raises hope for oral COVID-19 treatment

October 03, 2021 07:48 PM AEDT | By Anam Siddiqui
 Merck’s drug raises hope for oral COVID-19 treatment
Image source: Copyright © 2021 Kalkine Media

Highlights

  • Positive results have been received from the Phase 3 Clinical trial of a new drug developed by Merck and Co and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. 
  • The drug molnupiravir could potentially reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by 50% due to COVID-19.
  • Merck indicated that it intends to produce 10 million courses of treatment by the end of 2021. 

Merck and Co (NYSE:MRK) and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics have announced promising results from the Phase 3 Clinical trial of a new oral drug, molnupiravir. The drug could reduce the risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 by 50%. The positive results were achieved on people who took the drug molnupiravir within five days of being tested. 

RELATED ARTICLE: Merck/Ridgeback’s COVID-19 oral drug shows promising Phase 2 data

Triggered by the breakthrough results, Merck’s share price surged by US$6.3 on Friday while shares of other vaccine companies nosedived. Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) shares slipped by US$43.77 on 1 October 2021. 

Can molnupiravir prove effective in combating the pandemic?

Many are pinning hopes on positive interim results for molnupiravir, the first oral antiviral effective against the coronavirus. The drug, molnupiravir, inhibits the process of coronavirus replication inside the body. Seeking emergency authorization for coronavirus treatment, the companies plan to soon submit the data to the United States Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for a review. 

One other antiviral drug, remdesivir, has been approved by the US for COVID-19, in addition to three antibody therapies that have been allowed emergency usage. However, unlike molnupiravir, all these drugs cannot be administered orally. 

COVID-19, Vaccination

Source: Copyright © 2021 Kalkine Media

ALSO READ: Australia set for Moderna rollout next month: Here’s what you should know

However, molnupiravir was tested on patients who had mild-to-moderate coronavirus infection and had at least one risk factor such as old age, heart disease, obesity, etc. The completion of Phase 3 trials for molnupiravir is pending. 

Merck kicks off production

The positive results from the Phase-1 and Phase-2 trials have bolstered the Company to commence the production of molnupiravir in large numbers. As a result, Merck indicated that it intends to produce 10 million courses of treatment by the end of 2021, while it anticipates producing more doses in 2022. 

Earlier this year, the Company agreed to supply approximately 1.7 million drug courses to the US government, subject to authorization by the US FDA. Furthermore, it also entered into an agreement with other governments, pending regulatory authorization. 

ALSO READ: Tips for investing in COVID-19 vaccines developing stocks

Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) also recently indicated that it had commenced a large study testing its investigational oral antiviral drug for preventing infection among people exposed to the coronavirus. 

ALSO READ: US COVID-19 daily death toll crosses 2000: What lessons should Australia learn?

Bottom Line

The delta variant continues to be increase challenges for the world, struggling to come out of the woods. With the global COVID-19 deaths hitting 5 million at the start of October, the recent progress in oral drug development against coronavirus is significant.


Disclaimer

The content, including but not limited to any articles, news, quotes, information, data, text, reports, ratings, opinions, images, photos, graphics, graphs, charts, animations and video (Content) is a service of Kalkine Media Pty Ltd (Kalkine Media, we or us), ACN 629 651 672 and is available for personal and non-commercial use only. The principal purpose of the Content is to educate and inform. The Content does not contain or imply any recommendation or opinion intended to influence your financial decisions and must not be relied upon by you as such. Some of the Content on this website may be sponsored/non-sponsored, as applicable, but is NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold the stocks of the company(s) or engage in any investment activity under discussion. Kalkine Media is neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice through this platform. Users should make their own enquiries about any investments and Kalkine Media strongly suggests the users to seek advice from a financial adviser, stockbroker or other professional (including taxation and legal advice), as necessary. Kalkine Media hereby disclaims any and all the liabilities to any user for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising from any use of the Content on this website, which is provided without warranties. The views expressed in the Content by the guests, if any, are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Kalkine Media. Some of the images/music that may be used on this website are copyright to their respective owner(s). Kalkine Media does not claim ownership of any of the pictures displayed/music used on this website unless stated otherwise. The images/music that may be used on this website are taken from various sources on the internet, including paid subscriptions or are believed to be in public domain. We have used reasonable efforts to accredit the source wherever it was indicated as or found to be necessary.


AU_advertise

Advertise your brand on Kalkine Media

Sponsored Articles


Investing Ideas

Previous Next
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.