Merck's COVID-19 Treatment Fails To Prevent Infection In Household Exposure

Merck & Co Inc MRK Lagevrio (molnupiravir) did not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in the risk of COVID-19 following household exposure to another individual with COVID-19.
The Phase 3 MOVe-AHEAD trial evaluated people who did not have COVID-19 at baseline (confirmed by a negative baseline SARS-CoV-2 test and no signs and symptoms) but lived with someone who was recently diagnosed with COVID-19.
Related: Merck's Oral COVID-19 Treatment Might Be Linked To Spreading Mutations, Study Shows.
The Lagevrio-treated group was observed to be 23.6% less likely than those who received a placebo to develop COVID-19 through Day 14.
Lagevrio is approved or authorized in several markets, including the U.S., U.K., Australia, China, and Japan, for certain adults diagnosed with COVID-19. The treatment is not authorized for pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent COVID-19.
Last year, the FDA revised the Emergency Use Authorization for Merck COVID-19 pill molnupiravir, explaining that it should be used only if other treatments are unavailable or clinically appropriate.
Price Action: MRK shares are down 0.03% at $109.49 on the last check Tuesday.