Tag: Ebola

Originally developed in 2009 by Gilead Sciences, the antiviral drug remdesivir was initially intended to combat hepatitis C and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) before being repurposed for its eventual, more famous applications. The history of remdesivir is a remarkable narrative of scientific repurposing, highlighting how a broad-spectrum antiviral candidate evolved from treating one family of viruses to becoming a key tool in global pandemic responses, including both Ebola and COVID-19.

Originally developed by Gilead Sciences around 2009 for hepatitis C, remdesivir was repurposed and extensively investigated for its potential to treat Ebola and other serious RNA viral infections long before the COVID-19 pandemic. The drug's journey highlights the unexpected paths of pharmaceutical development, and understanding what is remdesivir used for other than COVID-19 reveals its significant history and broader antiviral potential.

Inmazeb, the first FDA-approved treatment for Zaire ebolavirus, utilizes a powerful combination of three different monoclonal antibodies. This innovative cocktail was shown in clinical trials to significantly improve patient survival rates, representing a major advancement in the treatment of deadly viral diseases.