Merck Seeks Emergency Use Authorization for Antiviral COVID-19 Treatment Molnupiravir.br Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics br said Monday that it is seeking emergency use authorization for its antiviral treatment, molnupiravir.br from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.br At the interim analysis, molnupiravir reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by approximately 50, Merck, via statement.br During a White House COVID-19 br briefing last week, Dr. Anthony Fauci said br the trial results are “very encouraging.”.br It is very important that br this now must go through br the usual process of br careful examination.., Dr. Anthony Fauci, via briefing.br ... of the data by the Food and Drug Administration br both for effectiveness, br but also for safety. , Dr. Anthony Fauci, via briefing.br If authorization is granted, it will br be the first oral antiviral treatment br to fight the coronavirus.br The drug comes in capsule form.br The company said that it will br provide tiered pricing so that the drug br will be accessible around the world.br Merck also said it will work with br generic drug manufacturers so br that low- and middle-income br countries will also have access.