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SMS Pharmaceuticals has received a non-exclusive license through the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to manufacture molnupiravir, an investigational oral antiviral COVID-19 medicine, to increase broad access to treatment in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).
MSD, a trade name of Merck & Co, Inc, Kenilworth, NJ, USA, has agreed to license this pill for wider distribution with the patent group. Under the terms of the agreement, MPP, through the license granted by MSD, will be permitted to further license non-exclusive sub licences to manufacturers and diversify the manufacturing base for the supply of molnupiravir to countries covered by the MPP Licence, subject to local regulatory authorisation.