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

The utility of remdesivir treatment in COVID-19 patients is currently limited by the necessity to administer this antiviral intravenously, which has generally 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 subcutaneous remdesivir from 12 h through 6 days post inoculation showed reduced signs of respiratory disease, a reduction of virus replication in the lower respiratory tract, and an absence of interstitial pneumonia. Thus, early subcutaneous administration of remdesivir can protect from lower respiratory tract disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. • Remdesivir is a nucleotide analog prodrug with broad-spectrum antiviral activity shown to be effective against SARS-CoV-2. • The utility of remdesivir treatment in COVID-19 patients is limited by the necessity to administer it intravenously. • The efficacy of a subcutaneous formulation of remdesivir was tested in the rhesus macaque model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. • Subcutaneous remdesivir reduced respiratory signs, reduced replication in the lungs, and prevented interstitial pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]