On Oct. 25, 2021, Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics announced the European Medicines Agency (EMA) had initiated a rolling review for molnupiravir, an investigational oral antiviral medicine, for treatment of COVID-19 in adults.

Merck planned to work with the EMAﾒs Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) to complete the rolling review process to facilitate initiating the formal review of the Marketing Authorization Application.