The Medicines Patent Pool and Merck Inc., enter into a license agreement for molnupiravir.

This agreement will help create broad access for molnupiravir use in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) following appropriate regulatory approvals.

Merck Inc., and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics are jointly developing molnupiravir. Under the terms of the agreement, MPP, through the license granted by Merck Inc., will be permitted to further license non-exclusive sublicenses to manufacturers (“MPP License”) and diversify the manufacturing base for the supply of quality-assured or WHO-prequalified molnupiravir to countries covered by the MPP License, subject to local regulatory authorization.

Merck Inc., Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Emory University will not receive royalties for sales of molnupiravir under this agreement for as long as COVID-19 remains classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization.