On Nov 4, 2021, Merck/Ridgeback announced that the British Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the marketing of molnupiravir (MK-4482, EIDD-2801) in the UK for the treatment of adult patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Molnupiravir is the world's first oral antiviral drug approved for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults. These patients have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and have at least one risk factor for developing a serious disease.
Molnupiravir (MK-4482/EIDD-2801) is a nucleoside analog discovered by DRIVE (Drug Innovations at Emory), a non-profit organization affiliated to Emory University, its activity to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication is 3-10 times higher than that of Remdesivir, and has shown activity in a number of preclinical SARS-CoV-2 virus infection prevention, treatment and prevention models.
On June 9 this year, Merck signed a procurement agreement with the US government. Once it obtains emergency use authorization or formal approval from the FDA, it will provide the US government with 1.7 million courses of molnupiravir. Merck has also signed procurement and supply agreements for molnupiravir with other governments around the world, and is currently communicating with more governments.
Source: Official Account Medicine Cube Plus
