Merck shares COVID-19 pill formula

Medicines Patent Pool, a United Nations–backed organization, on Wednesday announced it signed a voluntary licensing agreement with Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. The deal allows the organization to license other manufacturers around the world to produce generic versions of molnupiravir, which could be the first effective oral treatment for COVID-19. The organization said Merck’s decision to share the formula will rush distribution to more than 105 low-income countries that have struggled to rein in COVID-19 infections.

What does the pill do? Scientists at Emory University developed molnupiravir and sold it to Merck. The drug prevents the coronavirus from reproducing. Independent researchers recommended halting a Phase 3 trial after it showed strong early results. The company reported that taking eight pills of molnupiravir per day within the first five days of exhibiting symptoms cut hospitalizations and deaths by half. The European Medicines Agency started a rolling review of the treatment earlier this week. Merck has requested emergency authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for molnupiravir, and a decision could come within weeks.

Dig deeper: Read my report in The Sift about President Joe Biden’s promise to donate vaccines.