The Financial Times has reported disappointing results from a Chinese clinical trial of remdesivir against SARS-CoV-2. The study appeared briefly on the WHO website before being withdrawn.
As countries like France plan deconfinement starting May 11 amid ongoing global SARS-CoV-2 circulation, effective treatments remain critical. While vaccines target prevention, therapies for active cases are urgently needed.
Researchers are repurposing approved drugs for COVID-19. Key strategies include immunomodulators to tame excessive inflammation and antivirals to block viral replication directly.
Remdesivir, developed by Gilead Sciences for single-stranded RNA viruses, emerged early as a prime candidate, fueling optimism across multiple ongoing trials.
The Financial Times details how this Chinese trial yielded inconclusive outcomes. It found that "remdesivir […] does not improve the condition of patients or reduce the presence of the pathogen in the bloodstream," per the now-removed WHO document.
The study enrolled 237 patients: 158 on remdesivir and 79 in the control group. After one month, mortality was 13.9% in the treatment arm versus 12.8% in controls. Treatment halted early for 18 patients due to serious side effects.
Gilead highlighted a "potential benefit" for patients treated early. However, Stephen Evans, Professor of Pharmacoepidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, cautioned that "if the drug only works well when given very soon after infection, it may be much less useful in practice."
Trials continue worldwide, including major U.S. and European studies like Discovery. Positive data may yet emerge, but this setback tempers hopes pinned on remdesivir pending vaccines.
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