WHO Conditionally Recommends Merck's COVID-19 Antiviral Pill For High-Risk Patients - Merck & Co (NYSE:MRK), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN)

A World Health Organization (WHO) panel has backed the use of Merck & Co Inc's MRK COVID-19 antiviral pill for high-risk patients.
The expert panel conditionally recommended molnupiravir for patients with non-severe disease at high risk of hospitalization, such as the immunocompromised, the unvaccinated, older people, and those with chronic conditions.
The recommendation was based on new data from six clinical trials involving 4,796 patients.
Related: See Why Did FDA Update Merck's COVID-19 Pill Emergency Use Authorization.
Since molnupiravir's U.S. authorization in December, demand for the pill among COVID-19 patients has taken a hit from comparatively low efficacy.
The panel also updated its guidance for the use of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc's REGN casirivimab-imdevimab COVID-19 antibody cocktail.
It now recommends the drug only for people who are not infected with omicron as new data has shown it is not effective against the variant.
Price Action: MRK shares closed 0.70% higher at $77.21 on the last check Thursday.
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