Merck to make antiviral COVID-19 treatment in Canada

Merck, which is behind an investigational COVID-19 antiviral medication, has signed a deal to make its drug in Canada.

The company has entered into an agreement with Thermo Fisher Scientific to manufacture molnupiravir at a facility in Whitby, Ontario. The anti-viral medicine will be distributed in Canada and the U.K., as well as other countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, should it received the green light in those places.

The drug is being developed as a treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 illness in adults who test positive and who are at risk of severe illness, including hospitalization and death.

According to Merck, Thermo Fisher’s site in Ontario is one of three in the world for this kind of treatment.

The announcement comes just days after Merck signed a deal with the federal government, through which Canada has secured access to 500,000 patient courses.

On Dec. 3 Merck said it entered into a Supply Agreement with the federal government for the pill. "Through this agreement, the Government of
Canada has secured access to 500,000 patient courses, with options for up to 500,000 more in
2022." More on @CityNewsVAN.

— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) December 6, 2021

It also comes more than a week after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration came out with its analysis of Merck’s experimental pill, which is being developed in collaboration with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, saying it is effective against the virus but that some questions remained about its safety.

The U.S. review flagged risks of toxicity to developing fetuses and other potential problems in pregnant people, after birth defects were identified in studies of the pill in animals.

The FDA has asked its independent advisers if the drug’s benefits outweigh the risks and if its use should be restricted for some people.

Related articles: 

• Merck COVID-19 pill effective but safety questions remain, says FDA

• UK authorizes Merck antiviral pill, 1st shown to treat COVID

In early November, the U.K. became the first country to OK Merck’s treatment, though it was not clear at the time how quickly it would be available for the general population.

The U.S. continues to review Merck’s pill, as does Canada.

-With files from The Associated Press