Roche and Atea Pharmaceuticals have struck a deal to develop a COVID-19 antiviral pill, AT-527, currently being evaluated in a phase 2 study.

Roche will pay the Boston, Mass., drugmaker $350 million cash upfront to oversee global distribution. It will receive future milestone payments and royalties.

The drug is meant to block the virus’ ability to replicate through interfering with the viral RNA polymerase, responsible for controlling replication.

“Importantly, the manufacturing process for our small-molecule, direct-acting antiviral allows us to produce AT-527 quickly and at scale,” said Atea’s CEO Jean-Pierre Sommadossi.