Merck's (MRK) COVID-19 Drug Shows Promise in Mid-Stage Study
Merck MRK and its partner, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, announced promising preliminary data from the ongoing phase IIa study evaluating their oral antiviral candidate — molnupiravir (EIDD-2801/MK-4482) — in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19. Data on one secondary objective from the study showed a quicker reduction in infectious virus, as measured by Vero cell line culture, in patients with symptomatic COVID-19.
These preliminary data were presented during Science Spotlights at the 2021 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. Data from analysis of primary efficacy and safety endpoints will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.
The phase II study is evaluating the candidate in non-hospitalized adults who had signs or symptoms of COVID-19 within seven days and confirmed active SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary objective of the study was reduction in time to viral negativity or complete remission as measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis of nasopharyngeal swabs.
Merck’s shares declined 7.4% in the past year against the industry’s increase of 10.5%.
Apart from this mid-stage study, Merck is also evaluating molnupiravir in two separate clinical studies in non-hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients or hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients. Data from one of these studies evaluating the candidate is expected in May.
Merck is also developing abiological therapeutic candidate, MK-7110, in a phase III study for treating COVID-19. Data from a phase III study, announced last month, showed that the treatment with the candidate reduced risk of death or respiratory failure by 50%.
However, the company discontinued development of its two COVID-19 vaccine candidates, V590 and V591, in Januaryfollowing inferior immune responses observed in patients in an early-stage study.
We note that there are a few other approved treatments available for COVID-19 patients which have shown strong demand trend. While Gilead’s GILD Veklury (remdesivir) was the only fully approved treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, Eli Lilly’s LLY bamlanivimab that was granted emergency use approval (EUA) by the FDA in November 2020 for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19.Last month, the candidate received another EUA from the FDA for use in combination with Lilly’s another antibody candidate, etesevimab, for treating mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients. Regeneron’s REGN investigational antibody cocktail, casirivimab and imdevimab administered together, was also granted EUA by the FDA in November for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Eli Lilly and Incyte’s oral JAK inhibitor, Olumiant also enjoys EUA for use in combination with remdesivir in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Although the available treatments have seen strong demand, with rising immunization with COVID-19 vaccines. the scenario may change going forward as infection cases might decline.
Merck & Co., Inc. Price
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Merck currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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