Story at a glance
- The first antiviral pill that could be used to treat COVID-19 is seeking emergency use authorization.
- The drug, called molnupiravir, was found to reduce the risk of hospitalization by about 50 percent in a clinical trial.
- The drug was developed by Merck and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.
The first antiviral pill that could be used to treat COVID-19 was found to reduce the risk of hospitalization by about 50 percent in a clinical trial.
Our country is in a historic fight against the coronavirus. Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.
Pharmaceutical company Merck and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics made the announcement on Friday in a news release as it seeks emergency use authorization for the drug, called molnupiravir, from the Food and Drug Administration.
“More tools and treatments are urgently needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has become a leading cause of death and continues to profoundly affect patients, families, and societies and strain health care systems all around the world,” said Merck’s chief executive officer and president, Robert Davis. “With these compelling results, we are optimistic that molnupiravir can become an important medicine as part of the global effort to fight the pandemic and will add to Merck’s unique legacy of bringing forward breakthroughs in infectious diseases when they are needed most.”
BREAKING NEWS ON THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
FAUCI GRILLED AND PRESSED TO RESIGN ON CONTROVERSIAL TALK SHOW
VACCINATED COUPLE DIE OF COVID-19 HOLDING HANDS
WHAT IS ‘HYBRID IMMUNITY’ AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
NO FRIDGE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE LOOKS PROMISING: STUDY
FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS NEW YORK VACCINE MANDATE FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS
changing america copyright.
