An experimental COVID-19 treatment pill, called molnupiravir is being developed by Merck & Co Inc and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP, is seen in this undated handout photo released by Merck & Co Inc and obtained by Reuters May 17, 2021.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention had announced last week it was negotiating for supplies of Paxlovid, joining a global race for a drug seen as a potential game changer in fighting the virus. “The Pfizer arrangement is far advanced … In time, if we narrow this down and finalise … with Pfizer, I’m sure we’ll engage with Merck as well,” he said at a news briefing.
Merck has said it expects molnupiravir to be effective against the highly contagious Omicron, which has driven a surge in cases across the world.