Bulk order affirms Pfizer as prime mover in pandemic fightback

Ahead of the verdict of its medicines regulator, the US government has ordered 10 million doses of Pfizer’s (NYSE: PFE) investigational COVID-19 antiviral Paxlovid (ritonavir).

The deal, which is subject to the medicine’s approval or authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration, will add $5.29 billion to the New York giant’s  already swelling coronavirus coffers, extending the firm’s commercial lead in combating the pandemic.

Rival East Coast pharma major Merck & Co (NYSE: PFE) has also  submitted its coronavirus antiviral to the US regulator, and has already gained approval in the UK.