KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A big announcement came from Pfizer on Monday, June 6, as they plan to bring production of Paxlovid to Kalamazoo, which is one of their newest treatments in the battle against COVID-19.
Paxlovid is a pill prescribed after a patient at high risk of hospitalization catches the virus.
Pfizer’s Mike McDermott says as of this week, Paxlovid had only produced in Ireland. Their plan is to invest $120-million at their Portage Plant to start making the pills in the U.S.
Wearing a T-shirt that read “Science Will Win”, Governor Gretchen Whitmer told the gathering that this is another reason Michigan leads the way in the global economy.
The Portage Road plant will be the only place in the U.S. where the drug is produced. Currently, Paxlovid has only been authorized for use by the FDA for high risk patients and awaits final approval.
The Pharmaceutical firm says the drug is about 89% effective in reducing hospitalizations due to Covid-19, cutting deaths as well.
The new pill line is in addition to a $450-million dollar expansion of other manufacturing facilities at their Portage operation, already underway.
Plans for an additional expansion of their Modular Aseptic Production operation are yet-to-be-announced.
Reporting by: John McNeill
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