Reportedly, Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics have begun enrolling patients in a late-stage trial of their experimental drug molnupiravir for the prevention of COVID-19 infection. The drug will be administered and studied in over 1,300 volunteers to determine if it can prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The study is enrolling participants who are at least 18 years of age and stay in the same household with someone infected with the symptomatic COVID-19 virus.
In June, Merck informed that the U.S. government has agreed to pay about $1.2 billion for 1.7 million courses of its experimental COVID-19 treatment if it is proven to work in a separate, ongoing large trial and authorized by U.S. regulators.
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) is a global healthcare solutions provider that has been working towards bringing forward medicine and vaccines for some of the world’s most challenging diseases for more than a century. They are committed to increasing health care access and continue to be at the leading edge of research. Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. To learn more about Merck (MRK) and to track its ongoing progress please visit the Vista Partners Merck Coverage Page.
