Prognosis
U.S. Pumps $3.2 Billion Into Covid-Fighting Antiviral Effort
- Goal is to develop medicines to be taken easily at home
- Antivirals could help complement existing vaccines, Fauci says
Earlier this month, the U.S. entered a $1.2 billion agreement with Merck & Co. for 1.7 million courses of its experimental antiviral pill, called molnupiravir, should it be authorized by U.S. regulators.
Source: MerckThis article is for subscribers only.
The U.S. is investing $3.2 billion into developing antiviral medicines to combat Covid-19 and other viruses with pandemic potential. The aim: develop treatments to be taken at home soon after someone gets sick.
Dubbed the Antiviral Program for Pandemics, the effort led by U.S. health agencies will support the discovery, development and production of antiviral treatments for Covid-19 and future viral threats, the Health and Human Services Department said Thursday.