Gates Foundation Pledges $120 Million to Speed Generic Production of Merck’s COVID-19 Pill

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed up to $120 million to accelerate production of generic versions of Merck’s experimental COVID-19 oral pill, molnupiravir, to increase access to the treatment by lower-income countries.

The foundation will offer generics manufacturers volume guarantees, so the companies will be assured profits from their investments in production. Merck has already taken steps to expand access by negotiating manufacturing licenses with generics makers to increase supply.

Since the pandemic began, the Gates Foundation has spent $1.9 billion to support research and development and manufacturing efforts for COVID-19 vaccines, drugs and tests.