| Insight |
Remdesivir may be optimised, if proven safe
and effective.”
Now how does the antiviral drug work
against viruses? Katherine Seley-Radtke,
Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
and President-Elect of the International
Society for Antiviral Research, University of
Maryland, explains as follows:
The antiviral activity occurs because
nucleoside/tide analogues mimic the
structure of a natural nucleoside or
nucleotide such that they are recognised by,
for example, viruses. Due to those structural
modifications, however, they stop or
interrupt viral replication, which prevents
the virus from multiplying and infecting
more cells in the body.
As a result, they are known as directacting
antivirals and this is the case for
Remdesivir, which works by blocking the
coronavirus’s RNA polymerase – one of the
critical enzymes that this virus needs to
replicate its genetic material (RNA) and
generate in our bodies. Remdesivir works
when the protein reproducing the genetic
material for a new generation of viruses
accidentally grabs this nucleoside analogue
rather than the natural molecule and
incorporates it into the growing RNA strand.
Doing this blocks the rest of the RNA from
being replicated; this, in turn, prevents the
virus from multiplying. — The Health
Unlike traditional drug
development, we are
attempting to evaluate
an investigational agen
alongside an evolving g
pandemic. Multiple con
studies are helping inf
whether Remdesivir is
and effective treatmen
Covid-19 and how to ut
drug best.” — Merdad P