Remdesivir is an RNA polymerase inhibitor with potent antiviral activity in vitro and efficacy in animal models of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In the first 6 months of the pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide and has infected nearly 20 million people.^1,2 As of August 10, 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, resulted in more than 163 000 deaths in the United States and more than 730 000 worldwide.² Many infected people are asymptomatic or experience mild symptoms and recover without medical intervention.^3,4 However, older people and those with comorbid hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease are at higher risk of life-threatening illness.^5,6