Merck Forges Deal to License COVID-19 Antiviral to Medicines Patent Pool

Merck has struck a licensing pact with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), a United Nations-supported public health organization serving the developing world, to expand access to its experimental COVID-19 antiviral pill, molnupiravir, co-developed with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.

The precedent-setting agreement marks the first licensing deal for a COVID-19 treatment inked with the MPP, which has previously distributed HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis C drugs to poorer nations.

Under the deal, 105 low- and middle-income countries will gain access to the treatment, following authorization from the World Health Organization and/or national regulators.