Institute of Marine Biochemistry (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) transfers pilot-scale Molnupiravir synthesis technology process to Hera Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

27/09/2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is developing very complicatedly, with the number of people infected and dying increasing, so in addition to the vaccine solution, the research and creation of therapeutic medicine is extremely important. Among medicines to treat SARS-CoV-2, Molnupiravir is a specific antiviral drug, administered orally, currently undergoing clinical trials with positive results in terms of safety, tolerability, especially markedly reduced viral load in mild and moderate patients after 5 days of treatment, contributing to reducing community transmission, hospital admissions, and mortality. In Vietnam, the Ministry of Health has implemented a pilot program to use Molnupiravir for outpatients in Ho Chi Minh City.

In this situation, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) assigned the Institute of Marine Biochemistry to carry out the task of synthesizing the active ingredient Molnupiravir on a pilot scale. After a period of urgent research, the Institute of Marine Biochemistry has succeeded in creating a pilot-scale synthesis and purification of Molnupiravir. To perform the tasks assigned by the Prime Minister in Resolution 78/NQ-CP dated July 20, 2021, to accelerate research results into practice, with the consent of VAST, on August 30, 2021, Institute of Marine Biochemistry signed a contract to transfer the pilot-scale Molnupiravir production process to Hera Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Based on this process, it is expected that Hera Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. will organize the production, preparation and implementation of clinical studies for the use of Molnupiravir to serve public health.