REMDESIVIR

June 5, 2019

In a recent study published in Science Translational Medicine, Scientists have reported that Remdesivir, an experimental drug, has protected monkeys against infection with Nipah virus for which there is no approved vaccine or cure.

About:

Names: Remdesivir is also known as GS-5734.
What is it? It is an antiviral drug, a novel nucleotide analog prodrug, which was developed by Gilead Sciences as a treatment for Ebola virus.
Recent study:
- Now, Remdesivir appears to be effective against Nipah virus, a lethal disease and emerging pandemic threat for which there is no approved vaccine or cure.
- In the new trial, eight African green monkeys were given lethal doses of Nipah virus. Half of them later got intravenous Remdesivir. All four monkeys that got the drug survived; the four that did not died within eight days.
Significance:
- If the drug wins approval for use against Nipah, it will give us an extra treatment that could be used relatively quickly.
- The only current treatment for Nipah virus infection is a monoclonal antibody that is still experimental; it was tested during an outbreak in India last year.