Merck shares rose 2.46% in premarket trading.
Soon after the promising data disclosed by Merck for its COVID-19 pill, being developed in partnership with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, countries, including the U.K. and Malaysia, have shown willingness to procure the experimental antiviral drug.
An effective, convenient oral COVID-19 treatment could generate over $10 billion of annual sales, Reuters reported citing estimates from Jefferies.