A study carried out on ferrets at Georgia State University’s Center for Translational Antiviral Research, funded by Gilead Sciences and the National Institutes of Health, has tested the potential of a new oral variant of Gilead’s remdesivir, the only as-yet approved antiviral treatment for COVID-19. The approved form of remdesivir is currently available only via intravenous delivery.
In glad news for the participating mustelids, the study found that the drug was effective. If approved, the oral variant would improve access to remdesivir and allow patients to begin receiving doses outside of hospital – an option intravenous remdesivir does not offer. The rapid chemical conversion conferred by the pill delivers the same bioactive to patients, faster. In a statement, first author Robert Cox said, “Orally available antivirals will provide health care workers with a powerful weapon to combat the highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 variants that are active in the community now.”
The ferrets were not available for comment.
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