Pfizer said it is exploring potential contract manufacturing options to help ensure access across low- and middle-income countries, including India, to supply its Covid-19 antiviral drug Paxlovid. The company didn’t specify the companies it is in touch with for manufacturing of the antiviral drug.
A Pfizer company spokesperson told ET that the company has begun investing $1 billion, at risk, in the manufacture of its potential Covid-19 oral antiviral drug with the goal of making treatment courses available as quickly as possible, pending authorisation.
“We expect to use our strong manufacturing capabilities and our extensive supplier network to improve output rapidly,” the spokesperson said.
Pfizer said it has entered into advance purchase agreements with multiple countries and is in discussions with several others. The company didn’t mention whether India is part of its discussions. “We cannot share the specifics of any future agreements as discussions are ongoing,” the spokesperson said.
Pfizer’s drug Paxlovid, a combination of antiviral drugs nirmatrelvir (PF-07321332) and ritonavir tablet, is most awaited as the world is bracing for a potential spike in Covid-19 cases due to highly transmissible Omicron variant. Paxlovid, as per the final results of its phase-3 clinical trials, demonstrated reduction of hospitalization or death by 89% within three days of symptom onset, and 88% within five days of symptom onset compared to placebo in the high-risk patients.
Pfizer said the antiviral pill also worked in laboratory studies against the Omicron variant, which was classified as a variant of concern by the WHO. Paxlovid is yet to receive emergency use authorisation (EUA) from the USFDA.
