Merck has released positive results from a phase 3 study of its investigational oral antiviral COVID-19 drug Lagevrio (molnupiravir).

The 1,433 participants in the trial were randomized to receive either Lagevrio or placebo. Eligible patients had mild-to-moderate COVID-19, were unvaccinated and were not hospitalized, but were at risk of progression to severe disease.

By day three of the five-day oral treatment, the SARs-CoV-2 virus was no longer detected in any of the patients receiving Lagevrio, while only 20 patients in the placebo group were free of the virus.

The FDA granted Lagevrio Emergency Use Authorization in December 2021 for the treatment of COVID-19 infections.