The treatment, being developed by Merck in collaboration with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, is currently being evaluated in a phase 3 clinical trial.
The trial, know as the MOVe-OUT study, is evaluating molnupiravir in the treatment of non-hospitalised patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and at least one risk factor associated with poor disease outcomes.
“Merck is pleased to collaborate with the US government on this new agreement that will provide Americans with COVID-19 access to molnupiravir – an investigational oral therapy being studied for outpatient use early in the course of disease – if it is authorised or approved,” said Rob Davis, president, Merck.