CommercialU.S. to buy additional $1B of Merck's Covid-19 drug

U.S. to buy additional $1B of Merck’s Covid-19 drug

-

In the latest Merck’s COVID-19 news, it was reported that President Biden’s government has plans to place an order for another batch of Merck’s COVID-19 drug for $1 billion. A previous agreement in June was to purchase $1.2b worth of Merck antiviral pill, Molnupiravir. This is to purchase $1.7 million courses.  

This comes as a result of Merck’s COVID-19 drug producing data showing if given at the onset of COVID-19 related illness, the probability of fatality by the virus is cut in half for individuals in the severe risk category of COVID-19 complications. Merck’s COVID-19 pill reduces the chance of hospitalization as well.

In fact, an industry expert stated that Merck’s COVID-19 pill, Molnupiravir, possesses the ability to successfully battle this pandemic, along with other drugs and vaccines which makes the battle against COVID-19 a collective effort. Merck’s COVID-19 drug joins the fight against the virus in this way.

President Biden revealed that his government had bought millions of courses of Merck antiviral pill rival, Pfizer, as well. Pfizer’s COVID-19 drug shows a reduction in hospitalization and fatality by 89% in the same risk group. Merck’s COVID-19 news further reveals that the U.S. government can place a purchase order for 2 million more courses of Merck’s COVID-19 drug. Currently, the number of treatment doses are over 3 million, which are valued at $2.2b.

A health official said that Merck and Pfizer’s deal negotiations have similar terms that consist of 1.7 million courses to be bought upfront and a possibility for 3.3 million additional courses to be bought at a later stage.

Merck’s COVID-19 news further discloses that for countries in the high income bracket, Molnupiravir’s treatment course will be sold at $700.

By the end of 2021, production of 10 million treatment courses of Merck’s COVID-19 pill is expected, with double this amount expected in the coming year.

Merck antiviral pill is manufactured by bothMerck & Co Inc and its partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.

Life Sciences Voice Logo mobile
+ posts

Latest news

Lilly challenges J&J in the market for psychedelic mental health by paying $2.8 billion up front for AtaiBeckley

Eli Lilly has inked the deal to purchase AtaiBeckley for $2.8 billion to continue its acquisition spree in a...

The Next Wave of Innovation in Oncology

Executive Summary Oncology remains one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving areas of pharmaceutical innovation. Over the past two decades,...

GSK will increase its R&D efforts by investing £400 million in Britain over three years

British pharmaceutical and biotechnology firm GSK has announced a comprehensive investment plan in the United Kingdom's pharmaceutical and biotechnology...

Must read

Surrounded by controversy, FDA approves Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm

In the middle of the debate about the Alzheimer’s drug approval, the United States FDA has authorized Aduhelm

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you