Has Remdesivir failed as a COVID-19 treatment solution?

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• The report was draft and has since been withdrawn by WHO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.

1. 2 phase 3 studies in progress

2. NIAID is running a study

3. Study on 2 regimens for moderate COVID-19

4. >1,700 people on a compassionate use

5. Drug available to studies run by other sponsors.