U.S. Begins the Study of Coronavirus Treatment by Testing Gilead's Drug 'Remdesivir'

The test trial, which is intended to expand to incorporate new centers and experimental medicines over time, will examine first ‘Remdesivir’, an antiviral created by Gilead for treatment against the Ebola infection. Specialists see the medication as among the most promising existing treatments for potential use against the new coronavirus, presently called SARS-CoV-2. 

Two clinical trials testing potential medicines for the new coronavirus spreading from China are getting in progress in Nebraska and Washington, denoting a stage forward in the U.S. endeavors to discover a treatment or immunization for the pneumonia-like ailment brought about by the infection, BioPharma Dive revealed. 

The U.S. is arranging a clinical trial of Gilead's experimental medicine for the new coronavirus, as per a posting on a government clinical trial database. 

The University of Nebraska Medical Center is running the trial alongside the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease will be conducted at up to 50 places globally and will test the medication, called ‘Remdesivir’, against placebo, as per the protocols. 

On Monday, a WHO doctor, Bruce Aylward, said that after a visit through China that Gilead's medication is the one, in particular, that seems to have a guarantee against COVID-19, the ailment brought about by the new coronavirus. It's being tried in two trials in Wuhan, China, the focal point of the flare-up. However, Aylward noted moderate enlistment in those studies on account of the decrease in the number of patients and trials of different drugs are carried out additionally. 

"We must begin to prioritize enlistment into those things that may save lives faster," "And it's a worldwide issue, not just China, it's a worldwide issue," Aylward expressed at a press meet in China, on Monday. 

Gilead referred a request for input to the NIAID, which didn't promptly respond. A representative for the University of Nebraska Medical Center stated that he couldn't remark until the data is officially released. 

Gilead is among the twelve companies in the race to make medications, antibodies, and analytic tests for the new coronavirus.

Article Credit: CNBC News/BioPharma Dive