MUMBAI : Indian drug makers are gearing up to play a key role in the global scale-up of the oral covid-19 drug molnupiravir, touted to be the first antiviral to treat the disease.
Last week, US drugmaker Merck announced that the experimental drug reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 50% in an interim trial.
Following the results from the study, Merck decided to stop trials and seek emergency approval from the US drug regulator. Next month, at least three Indian drugmakers will seek approval from the drug regulator following the completion of their own clinical trials for the drug in India.
An approval from the Indian drug regulator will help in the global scale-up of the drug, especially in low- and middle-income countries.