Background:
Remdesivir was developed as a (“failed”) treatment for Ebola
Granted “compassionate use” status in the US for treatment of severe COVID-19
Gilead forced to withdraw FDA “orphan drug” status as a treatment for COVID-19
Chinese clinical trial the first to report
Chinese clinical trial:
n= 237 patients: 158 administered the drug to 158; 79 received a placebo
Case for Prosecution:
After a month, 13.9% of the patients taking the drug had died compared to 12.8% of those receiving the placebo.
The trial was stopped early because of side-effects.
Draft report states "Remdesivir was not associated with clinical or virological benefits”
Case for Defence:
Patients allowed to start up to 12 days after symptoms 1st appeared. Some evidence to suggest better outcomes if treatment started earlier
The trial was terminated early due to low enrollment
The report was draft and has since been withdrawn by WHO
Verdict:
We will know more soon.
2 phase 3 studies in progress
NIAID is running a study
Study on 2 regimens for moderate COVID-19
>1,700 people on a compassionate use
Drug available to studies run by other sponsors.
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