Merck Inks Licensing Pact To Broaden Generic Manufacturing Of COVID-19 Antiviral

Vandana Singh
·1 min read

  • Merck & Co Inc (NYSE: MRK) has signed a licensing agreement with the United Nations-backed Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to allow more companies to manufacture generic versions of its experimental oral antiviral COVID-19 treatment.

  • Merck said the royalty-free license would apply to 105 low- and middle-income countries.

  • It allows manufacturers selected by MPP to make generic versions of molnupiravir, an antiviral pill Merck has developed with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.

  • Related Link: WHO-Led Program Intends To Purchase Oral COVID-19 Antivirals For , Including Merck's: Reuters.

  • "This is the first transparent, public health-driven voluntary license for a COVID-19 medical technology," Merck and MPP said in a joint statement.

  • Merck, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, and Emory University will not receive sales royalties for molnupiravir under this agreement for as long as COVID-19 remains classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization.

  • Related Link: Merck, Ridgeback File For Emergency Use Nod For COVID-19 Antiviral.

  • Price Action: MRK shares up 0.18% at $82.40 during the premarket session on the last check Wednesday.

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