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.