Remdesivir

Remdesivir is an antiviral drug that inhibits viral RNA synthesis by targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. It is used to treat COVID-19.

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase: An enzyme that copies RNA from an RNA template, used by many RNA viruses to replicate their genomes. Remdesivir acts on this viral enzyme, disrupting the RNA synthesis it catalyzes.
COVID-19: An infectious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 is the principal disease for which remdesivir is used.
Gilead Sciences: An American biopharmaceutical company that developed remdesivir. Gilead developed the compound and advanced it into clinical testing.
Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir: An oral combination antiviral treatment for COVID-19 that inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. It offers an oral treatment option and targets a different viral enzyme.
Nucleoside analog: A molecule resembling a nucleoside that can interfere with nucleic-acid synthesis after cellular or viral processing. Remdesivir is converted into a nucleoside-analog triphosphate that competes during viral RNA synthesis.
PINETREE trial: A randomized trial of a three-day remdesivir course in nonhospitalized patients at high risk of severe COVID-19. It tested early outpatient treatment and found a lower risk of hospitalization or death.
Ebola virus disease: A severe illness caused by Ebola viruses, investigated as an initial target for remdesivir. Remdesivir was studied against Ebola before COVID-19 became its main clinical use.
Molnupiravir: An oral antiviral prodrug that promotes mutations in viral RNA during replication. It disrupts viral replication through mutagenesis rather than remdesivir’s polymerase inhibition.
Chain termination: The interruption of nucleic-acid strand elongation when further nucleotide addition becomes impossible or strongly impaired. Remdesivir incorporation stalls viral RNA production after a short extension rather than causing immediate termination.
ACTT-1 trial: A randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluating remdesivir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Its results supported faster recovery in hospitalized patients, informing early clinical use.

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