Gilead Sciences’ Remdesivir Significantly Slashed COVID-19 Hospitalization

Gilead Sciences’ antiviral drug Veklury (remdesivir) appeared to reduce hospitalizations and death by 87 percent in patients with new cases of COVID-19, according to data just released by the company.

In a phase 3 study of 562 participants, the company looked at the usefulness of a three-day course of the intravenous drug when administered outside the hospital setting to patients with a new case of COVID-19 who were at high risk for disease progression.

In addition to an 87 percent drop in risk of hospitalization and death by day 28, the results also showed an 81 percent reduction in risk of medical visits due to COVID-19 compared with placebo.