Early Use of Remdesivir Reduces Hospitalization by 87%

Gilead announced new data this morning from a double-blind placebo-controlled phase 3 remdesivir study. In this study, three doses of intravenous remdesivir were given to high-risk patients after they were diagnosed with Covid-19, but before they were hospitalized.

The study results showed patients that received remdesivir were 87% less likely to be hospitalized later (compared to the placebo.)

“Antiviral medications provide maximal benefit when used early in the disease course. Last summer, data from clinical trials demonstrated the benefit of remdesivir in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, even when not yet requiring oxygen. These latest data show remdesivir’s potential to help high-risk patients recover before they get sicker and stay out of the hospital altogether,” said Robert L. Gottlieb, MD, PhD, Cardiologist and Principal Investigator at Baylor University Medical Center and Baylor Scott & White Research Institute.

Gilead also mentioned they are developing a novel oral treatment and hopes to file investigational new drug applications with the FDA in early 2022.

This is the fantastic news humanity has been waiting for.

They’ve finally started using remdesivir the right way. It’s an antiviral. Antivirals should be given as early as possible after diagnosis.

I’ve talked about this before, but if you’re unfamiliar with how remdesivir works, here it is: Imagine someone drops a cigarette (SARS-CoV-2) on your couch (your body.) If you do nothing, then the cigarette could start a fire (Covid-19.)

Remdesivir, an antiviral drug, stops viral replication. This is the glass of water you would throw on the couch.

Here’s how remdesivir is currently being used in hospitals: Doctors are waiting for the couch to be totally engulfed in flames, then tossing a glass of water on it.

Most of the time it does nothing. Sometimes it helps the fire die down a little quicker.

If you’re thinking this current form of treatment is moronic, you’re not alone.

Obviously the water should be tossed on the cigarette as soon as possible. And that’s what they did in this study. They showed that water, when applied early to fire, is highly effective.

Now Gilead is talking about a novel oral treatment. This is likely in conjunction with Matinas Biopharma since they’ve been working on one together since December 2020.

Matinas’ LNC technology could allow Gilead to make a shelf-stable, oral, and less toxic version of remdesivir. Because right now remdesivir is more like a glass of wine. It’s gonna put the fire out, but it might leave a stain (kidney issues.)

LNC oral remdesivir could solve all of these problems. Read more about it in these articles here.

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