Hetero seeks emergency use authorisation for Merck's antiviral drug

Clinical trial shows molnupiravir helps in early recovery in non-hospitalised Covid-19 patients

Hyderabad-based Hetero has sought emergency use authorisation from the Indian drug regulator for anti-viral medicine molnupiravir, a Merck & Co drug, which has shown that it helps in early recovery of patients.

Hetero had entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Merck in April this year to manufacture and supply this oral antiviral drug in India and over 100 low and medium income countries (LMICs).

Apart from Hetero, Merck had signed licensing agreements with several other Indian companies including Cipla, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL), Emcure, Sun Pharma and Torrent Pharma. These five pharma companies had entered into a collaboration agreement