LONDON (ShareCast) - (Sharecast News) - Gilead Sciences might be onto something with its antiviral treatment for Covid-19, Remdesivir, the US government's top infectious-disease specialist said.
In a White House briefing, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the boss of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which had conducted a study into the treatment, said there was "quite good news".

The primary endpoint of the trial had been to determine whether the drug might help more patients recover more quickly from the virus.

Of the 1,000 patients enrolled in the study around the world, in collaboration with 1,000 clinics overseas, patients treated with Remdesivir recovered in 11 days, on average, versus 15 days for those who were given a placebo together with supportive care instead.

Fauci said the results were "highly significant if you look at the time to recovery".

Citing government officials, the New York Times later reported that the country's drug regulator, the Food and Drug Administration, might grant approval for emergency use of Remdesivir as soon as Wednesday evening.

Shares of Gilead Sciences finished the session 5.68% higher to $83.14, adding another 2.18% to $84.95 in the after hours.

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