Remdesivir Being Evaluated With Other Treatments for COVID-19

After Gilead Sciences’ remdesivir was approved for emergency use on COVID-19 patients, a number of other trials have gotten underway to test the antiviral’s benefits in combination with other drugs.

Researchers at the University of Southern California are conducting a trial of moderate to severe cases of COVID-19 to see if adding Eli Lilly’s Olumiant (baricitinib) to remdesivir can reduce the need for invasive mechanical ventilation, according to Informa Pharma Intelligence, a market research firm that is tracking remdesivir trials. The National Institutes of Health is currently conducting a similar trial, but it is limited to severe cases (DID, May 12).

Another trial at the University of Kansas is testing antihypertensive drug Cozaar (losartan) as a COVID-19 treatment, and it will also evaluate any potential interactions with remdesivir.

One trial being conducted at the VA Boston Healthcare System is testing rheumatoid arthritis drug Kevzara (sarilumab) and remdesivir with standard of care for moderate COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, a trial in Iran is studying remdesivir on top of standard of care, which includes some variation of chloroquine phosphate/hydroxychloroquine sulfate, lopinavir/ritonavir or atazanavir.

And a trial in Croatia is evaluating Roche’s Actemra (tocilizumab) with standard of care. In this trial, remdesivir is considered a standard of care treatment.

Researchers in France are testing dexamethasone with standard oxygen to support patients with severe COVID-19. Patients that are included in the trial are also being treated with remdesivir. — Jordan Williams