Gilead Defends Remdesivir’s Efficacy In Treating COVID-19 Patients, Announces 3rd Quarter Earnings Up 17%; Science Magazine Examines U.S. Approval Of Drug, E.U. Deal To Purchase Therapeutic

CNBC: Gilead’s revenue rises 17% driven by sales of coronavirus treatment remdesivir
“Gilead Sciences reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings on Wednesday as sales of its coronavirus treatment remdesivir touted by President Donald Trump drove revenue up by 17% from last year…” (Higgins-Dunn/Lovelace, 10/28).

Financial Times: Gilead insists remdesivir improves Covid-19 survival rates
“Gilead criticized a World Health Organization study that raised doubts about its Covid-19 treatment, insisting that the overnight blockbuster drug does improve survival rates for a large group of hospitalized patients…” (Kuchler, 10/28).

Science: The ‘very, very bad look’ of remdesivir, the first FDA-approved COVID-19 drug
“…On 8 October, the company inked an agreement to supply the European Union with its drug remdesivir as a treatment for COVID-19 — a deal potentially worth more than $1 billion. Two weeks later, on 22 October, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved remdesivir for use against the pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in the United States — the first drug to receive that status. The E.U. and U.S. decisions pave the way for Gilead’s drug into two major markets, both with soaring COVID-19 cases. But both decisions baffled scientists who have closely watched the clinical trials of remdesivir unfold over the past 6 months — and who have many questions about remdesivir’s worth. … Science has learned that both FDA’s decision and the E.U. deal came about under unusual circumstances that gave the company important advantages…” (Cohen/Kupferschmidt, 10/27).

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