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OTTAWA — Merck Canada introduced it plans to fabricate its oral antiviral COVID-19 drug in Canada, making the nation a world hub for the manufacturing of the possibly game-changing remedy.
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The drug firm has invested $19 million to scale up manufacturing of its antiviral drug, molnupiravir, at Thermo Fisher Scientific’s facility in Whitby.
The drug — one of many first therapies for non-hospitalized COVID-19 sufferers — is at the moment pending Well being Canada approval.
The antiviral works by blocking the enzyme important for viral replication.
Merck’s medical trial confirmed a 50 per cent lowered threat of hospitalization or dying in comparison with placebo sufferers with gentle or average COVID-19.
Final week Procurement Minister Filomena Tassi introduced Canada had signed a deal to buy 500,000 programs of the oral antiviral drug, with the choice to buy one other 500,000 if Well being Canada offers the inexperienced mild.
