Indian Study Shows Merck's COVID-19 Antiviral Candidate Less Effective Against Moderate Infection: Reuters
According to a source with the Drug Controller General of India, Merck & Co Inc's (NYSE: MRK) antiviral drug molnupiravir has not shown "significant efficacy" against moderate COVID-19.
Related Link: Merck's COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Cuts Risk of Hospitalization, Death By 50%.
"There is no significant efficacy against moderate COVID, and the effective efficacy is towards mild cases," Reuters reported citing the source.
Two Indian companies, Aurobindo Pharma Ltd and MSN Laboratories, have requested to end their late-stage trials on Merck's molnupiravir in moderate COVID-19 patients.
It was not immediately clear whether the Indian drugmakers and Merck used identical criteria to define moderate COVID-19 cases.
Aurobindo Pharma, MSN, and Merck did not immediately reply to Reuters' requests for comment.
Merck has entered into voluntary licensing agreements with at least eight Indian drugmakers for molnupiravir.
Since August this year, Aurobindo has been conducting a trial in 100 patients. According to its trial details, moderate patients included fever, coughing, breathing difficulties, and oxygen deficiency.
Of the eight Indian firms, five - Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd (NYSE: RDY), Cipla Ltd, Sun Pharmaceutical, Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd, and Emcure Pharmaceuticals, are conducting a joint trial for the antiviral drug only in mild COVID-19 patients in an outpatient setting.
Price Action: MRK shares are down 0.89% at $81.21 during the market session on the last check Friday.
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