Results of Compassionate-Use Remdesivir for Severe COVID-19

Remdesivir, an inhibitor of viral RNA polymerase, has activity against SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of COVID-19) in vitro and against other betacoronaviruses in animal models. Now, the results of a manufacturer-funded case series of people with COVID-19 who received remdesivir through a compassionate-use program are published.

A total of 61 hospitalized patients with severe disease in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan received intravenous remdesivir, but only 53 were evaluated; the rest did not have posttreatment data or had a dosing error. Before receiving remdesivir, patients' median symptom duration was 12 days, 57% were receiving mechanical ventilation, and 8% were on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Outcomes at a median of 18 days …