The Medicines Patent Pool on Jan. 20 said it had signed agreements with 27 generic drugmakers to manufacture molnupiravir — Merck's COVID-19 antiviral — to advance accessibility in 105 developing countries.
The agreement enables the generic drug manufacturers to produce both the raw ingredients for molnupiravir and the finished product, the organization said. Five of the generic drug companies will focus on the raw ingredients, 13 will focus on producing both the raw ingredient and finished drug, while nine will produce the finished drug.
"This is a critical step toward ensuring global access to an urgently needed COVID-19 treatment and we are confident that, as manufacturers are working closely with regulatory authorities, the anticipated treatments will be rapidly available in [low- and middle-income countries], said Charles Gore, executive director of the Medicines Patent Pool.
Merck and Ridgeback Therapuetic's molnupiravir is authorized to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk of developing severe illness when alternative options are "not accessible or clinically appropriate."
The Medicines Patent Pool is a United Nations-backed organization that partners with multiple stakeholders to increase global access and development of lifesaving medicines.