A five-day course of Merck’s experimental oral anti-viral drug (Molnupiravir) to treat COVID-19 reduced the risk of hospitalization and death in half in a Phase 3 randomized trial the pharmaceutical company reported. The results were so astounding that the trial is being stopped early, and Merck plans to apply for emergency use authorization from Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Merck and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics said in a news release they would apply for emergency use authorization for the drug, molnupiravir, in the United States as soon as possible.
It would be the first antiviral pill for covid-19. https://t.co/pAI7qnYkgq
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) October 1, 2021
If approved by FDA for emergency use authorization, Molnupiravir, a joint effort between Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, would become the first orally taken antiviral medicine taken for COVID-19.
In a Phase 3 study, 7.3% of patients taking Molnupiravir were hospitalized, while 14.1% of those taking a placebo had to be admitted to the hospital. Merck also reported that no participants using Molnupiravir died through the first 29 days of the tests, while eight patients using a placebo died.
“This is a phenomenal result. This is a profound game-changer to have an oral pill that had this kind of effect, this magnitude of effect in patients who are at high-risk who are already symptomatic,” says Scott Gottlieb, former Commissioner, FDA.
"This is a phenomenal result. This is a profound game-changer to have an oral pill that had this kind of effect, this magnitude of effect in patients who are at high-risk who are already symptomatic," says @ScottGottliebMD on news of $MRK's #covid19 antiviral study result. pic.twitter.com/2cfI3BFQUd
— Squawk Box (@SquawkCNBC) October 1, 2021
References:
- https://www.merck.com/news/merck-and-ridgebacks-investigational-oral-antiviral-molnupiravir-reduced-the-risk-of-hospitalization-or-death-by-approximately-50-percent-compared-to-placebo-for-patients-with-mild-or-moderat/
- https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2021/10/01/Merck-Ridgeback-coronavirus-antiviral-drug-molnupiravir/6021633090401/
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/10/01/pill-to-treat-covid/