Hyderabad-based Optimus Pharma has sought domestic regulatory approval to produce a generic version of Merck’s oral COVID-19 drug, molnupiravir, the company told Reuters.

D. Srinivasa Reddy, managing director of the company, said that if emergency use approval is received, they could ramp up production to 80 million capsules a month, adding that they are considering a price of 40 cents per capsule. A treatment course includes about 40 capsules, which would take the total cost to around $16. 

Merck will be supplying 1.7 million courses of the drug to the U.S. government at a price of $700 per course.

Optimus had received a nod from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) in May to conduct a late-stage trial of the drug in mild COVID-19 patients. The company stated that the trial has been completed and showed that on day 5, nearly 78% of patients in the molnupiravir group tested negative for the virus, compared to around 48% in the placebo group… (NDTV – Reuters, October 28, 2021)