CHICAGO, June 1 - Merck is holding talks with multiple global health authorities about the potential use of its oral COVID-19 antiviral, molnupiravir, as a treatment option amid a growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a senior company executive said.
The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a less common variant for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments, and has so far been linked to a suspected 1,100 infections and 42 deaths.
Eliav Barr, chief medical officer at Merck Research Laboratories, described molnupiravir as a broadly acting RNA virus drug and said the company is exploring how the pill might be applied in this context. "Molnupiravir is a non-specific RNA virus drug. We’re thinking about how we could use that," Barr said in an interview at the American Society for Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago on Sunday. He added, "We’re talking a lot with different parties about this."
Molnupiravir, developed by Merck in collaboration with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and sold under the brand name Lagevrio, received emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic for treating mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults at high risk for progression to severe disease.
While molnupiravir is not an approved therapy for Ebola in people, the drug has demonstrated some efficacy against Ebola virus in animal studies. Barr and the company suggest it could have utility as a preventive measure for people at elevated risk of infection, though the pill is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
Merck also manufactures an Ebola vaccine, Ervebo, which is authorized for protection against the more common Zaire Ebola virus. Barr indicated the underlying vaccine technology may offer a pathway to develop a vaccine targeted to other strains. "They may be able to alter it. We’re looking at that," he said.
Describing the outbreak as "very frightening," Barr noted Merck operates HIV research sites in Uganda along one of the large lakes that borders the DRC. Uganda has reported nine confirmed Ebola cases and one death to date. "We’re watching with trepidation," he said, reflecting the company's concern as the situation evolves.
This discussion by Merck highlights active consideration of existing antiviral and vaccine platforms as public-health authorities and manufacturers evaluate responses to an outbreak driven by a strain with no approved countermeasures.