Chinese drug regulator has approved Merck & Co's Covid-19 antiviral molnupiravir for emergency use amid shortage of drugs following significant increase in Covid-19 cases, reports said.
China's National Medical Products Administration or NMPA granted conditional emergency approval for the drug, known by the brand name Lagevrio, to treat mild and moderate infections in adults at risk of progressing to severe disease.
The approval follows a deal in September by Merck with Chinese state-owned firm Sinopharm to import and market molnupiravir in China.
Molnupiravir is the second Covid-19 treatment from outside China cleared for use in the country following approval for Pfizer Inc's Paxlovid in early 2022.
China is facing waves of covid infections after the country abruptly reversed its stringent Covid-19 restrictions earlier in December.
Merck shares were gaining nearly 1 percent in pre-market activity on the NYSE to trade at $111.42.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Business News
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.