Reportedly, Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) stocks soared after its Ridgeback Biotherapeutics-partnered Covid-19 treatment known as molnupiravir displayed promising results in an interim analysis of a Phase 2.
Merck stock recently slipped this year after the company scrapped the development of two “inferior” coronavirus vaccines. However, the promise for an oral Covid treatment gave Merck shares a lift.
The companies are testing an oral antiviral treatment known as molnupiravir. The results after five days of treatment displayed none of the molnupiravir-treated patients tested positive for Covid-19. However, nearly a quarter, 24%, of those who received a placebo tested positive for Covid-19.
“At a time where there is unmet need for antiviral treatments against (the virus known as) SARS-CoV-2, we are encouraged by these preliminary data,” stated Ridgeback Chief Medical Officer Dr. Wendy Painter.
The study was conducted on 202 non-hospitalized adults who showed symptoms of Covid-19. Of those, just 78 displayed detectable levels of the virus in testing at the beginning of the study, including 47 who received molnupiravir and 25 on the placebo. After day five, none of the molnupiravir patients had detectable levels of the virus, but six out of the 25-person placebo group still tested positive for Covid-19.
The oral antiviral treatment was safe. Out of the four serious adverse events reported, none were related to molnupiravir, Merck, and Ridgeback informed.
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.
If you liked this story please consider, visiting the Atossa Therapeutics (ATOS) dedicated page at Vista Partners to learn about the Seattle-based biotech firm’s work towards finding therapeutic treatments for Breast Cancer and the Coronavirus.
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