Subcutaneous remdesivir administration prevents interstitial pneumonia in rhesus macaques inoculated with SARS-CoV-2

The efficacy of remdesivir treatment in COVID-19 patients is likely limited at least in part by the necessity to administer this antiviral intravenously, that has limited its’ use to hospitalized patients. Here, we tested a novel, subcutaneous formulation of remdesivir in the rhesus macaque model of SARS-CoV-2 infection that was previously used to establish the efficacy of remdesivir against this virus in vivo. Compared to vehicle treated animals, macaques treated with remdesivir subcutaneously showed reduced signs of respiratory disease, a reduction of virus replication in the lower respiratory tract, and a complete absence of interstitial pneumonia.