Remdesivir: Review of Pharmacology, Pre ‐clinical Data, and Emerging Clinical Experience for COVID‐19

The global pandemic of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID ‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has created an urgent need for effective antivirals. Remdesivir (formerly GS‐5734) is a nucleoside analogue pro‐drug currently being evaluated in COVID‐19 clinical trials. Its unique structural features allow hig h concentrations of the active triphosphate metabolite to be delivered intracellularly and it evades proofreading to successfully inhibit viral RNA synthesis. In pre‐clinical models, remdesivir has demonstrated potent antiviral activity against diverse human and zoonotic β‐coronaviruses, includ ing SARS‐CoV‐2. In this article, we critically review available data on remdesivir with an emphasis on biochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, andin vitro activity against coronaviruses as well as clinical experience and current progress in COVID ‐19 clinical trials.
Source: Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Review Of Therapeutics Source Type: research