Coronavirus: Remdesivir Injection the 'most promising' COVID-19 treatment

As scientists race to develop vaccines and treatments for coronavirus there's one drug that's been getting a lot of attention the drug is 'Remdesivir' The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorisation to use it to treat the coronavirus 

Remdesivir is an antiviral drug that was originally meant to fight the Ebola virus. But it was so ineffective that it was eventually shelved. However, despite its initial failure, remdesivir was later shown to be effective against both SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) and now being tested in clinical trials as potential treatment against coronavirus COVID-19. 

Remdesivir is currently the word's best hope for treating coronavirus COVID-19. But it's not a silver bullet. Remdesivir doesn't cure coronavirus. But the experimental drug, which may speed up recovery from a coronavirus infection, is currently the best treatment we have against a COVID-19 

Clinical trials shows that patients treated with remdesivir had a 31% faster recovery than those who received a placebo. Average recovery was shortened to 11 days, and drug also slightly decrease the likelihood of dying from coronavirus. 

How does Remdesivir work 

Remdesivir is an antiviral drug originally developed by biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences to treat Ebola. But drug not able to work well against that diseases, it later shown promise fighting SARS and MERS 

Remdesivir isn't a vaccine, and so it can't prevent infection, instead it works by attacking the virus once it is already spreading inside the body. 

Here is a look at how the COVID-19 virus propagates in human body, and how the drug puts the brakes on that process 

Step 1 virus enters a cell 

Virus can't multiply without using a cell's protein making machinery. So they first need to gain entry into healthy cell. Coronavirus, like the one that causes COVID-19, have a shell of spiky proteins that allows them to bind to cells 

Step 2 Virus releases genetic code 

The virus fuses with the cell and once inside, releases a strand of RNA. Like a blueprint, RNA is string of genetic code that has instructions to make exact copies of virus. 

Step 3 Genetic code converts to protein 

Tiny particles in the host cell, called ribosomes, are equipped to read genetic material. When the virus's RNA passes through the ribosome, the ribosome produces viral proteins 

Step 4 Protein make copies 

Viral proteins are needed to make copies of viral RNA, as well as other parts of virus like outer spikes and membrane. As more proteins and RNA strands are made, they proliferate, making exponentially more copies that fill up the cell. 

Step 5 Virus parts get assembled 

The parts use mechanisms in the host cell to come together, firming a complete virus. When fully assembled, the virus can exit the cell to seek other heathy cells and start the process again. 

Step 6 Remdesivir blocks replication

Remdesivir mimics a part of the viral RNA. During the copying process, it insert itself into the RNA strand. When attached, the drug prevents any further copying, leaving the RNA strand incomplete and unable to produce critical viral parts 

Step 7 Virus slows down 

Remdesivir hampered the entire replication process slows down. This means fewer viruses are assembled. Defective viruses with partial RNA can't replicate in other cells.

Who can get Remdesivir? 

Supply of remdesivir is limited, and it's currently reserved for the sickest COVID-19 patients those with blood oxygen levels at or below 94% and who require supplemental oxygen.

But before any drug can be used widely, it must meet the FDA's approval standards. 

While the remdesivir development is an important first step we're still a long way from FDA approval therapies that are proven to prevent or treat COVID-19.