Dr. Reddy's Ready To Make COVID-19 Antiviral From Pfizer - Reuters - Dr Reddy's Laboratories (NYSE:RDY), Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), Merck & Co (NYSE:MRK)

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd RDY said it was open to making Pfizer Inc's PFE COVID-19 antiviral pill, Reuters reported.
The new drugs can be used to treat patients once they contract coronavirus infection and are expected to be a substantial market.
Merck Inc MRK has given out licenses to manufacturers in developing countries to ensure a swift global supply, and companies are hopeful that Pfizer will do the same.
Related: Merck Teams Up With Indian Generic Players To Expand COVID-19 Drug Access, Production.
"Yeah, yeah, absolutely," Dr. Reddy's co-chairman and managing director, G.V. Prasad, told Reuters in an interview when asked about making rival products from the U.S. companies.
"Dr. Reddy's remains open to all opportunities," a company spokesperson said separately.
Prasad said Dr. Reddy's had not yet initiated any talks with Pfizer before the U.S. company sought regulatory permissions.
Dr. Reddy's expects the Indian regulator to approve Merck's molnupiravir as soon as the FDA does.
Britain and Bangladesh have already authorized the drug, and India could be a big market with 1.35 billion people.
Also Read: Indian Study Shows Merck's COVID-19 Antiviral Candidate Less Effective Against Moderate Infection: Reuters.
Price Action: MRK shares are down 0.96% at $82.89 during the premarket session on the last check Tuesday.