Benzinga | Oct 8, 2021 02:14PM EDT

Indian Study Shows Merck's COVID-19 Antiviral Candidate Less Effective Against Moderate Infection: Reuters

* According to a source with the Drug Controller General of India, Merck & Co Inc's (NYSE:MRK) antiviral drug molnupiravir has not shown "significant efficacy" against moderate COVID-19.

* Related Link: Merck's COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Cuts Risk of Hospitalization, Death By 50%.

* "There is no significant efficacy against moderate COVID, and the effective efficacy is towards mild cases," Reuters reported citing the source.

* Two Indian companies, Aurobindo Pharma Ltd and MSN Laboratories, have requested to end their late-stage trials on Merck's molnupiravir in moderate COVID-19 patients.

* It was not immediately clear whether the Indian drugmakers and Merck used identical criteria to define moderate COVID-19 cases.

* Aurobindo Pharma, MSN, and Merck did not immediately reply to Reuters' requests for comment.

* Merck has entered into voluntary licensing agreements with at least eight Indian drugmakers for molnupiravir.

* Since August this year, Aurobindo has been conducting a trial in 100 patients. According to its trial details, moderate patients included fever, coughing, breathing difficulties, and oxygen deficiency.

* Of the eight Indian firms, five - Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd (NYSE:RDY), Cipla Ltd, Sun Pharmaceutical, Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd, and Emcure Pharmaceuticals, are conducting a joint trial for the antiviral drug only in mild COVID-19 patients in an outpatient setting.

* Price Action: MRK shares are down 0.89% at $81.21 during the market session on the last check Friday.