Merck’s Molnupiravir Open License With Medicines Patent Pool May Be Model

Pharma industry critics herald the agreement for allowing many manufacturers around the world to make the COVID-19 therapeutic and for its transparency. If Merck can do it, they ask, why can’t other companies?

Molnupiravir
Merck licenses its COVID-19 drug molnupiravir to the Medicines Patent Pool • Source: Alamy

Merck & Co., Inc.’s licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool to provide global access to its investigational COVID-19 therapeutic molnupiravir is being praised by industry critics for its transparency and breadth. They view it as a model for future licensing of COVID products.

Merck and the United Nations-backed Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) announced the signing of the voluntary licensing agreement on 27 October,...

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