Gilead Sciences Says it Can Meet Global Remdesivir Demand Starting in October

Gilead Sciences said it should be able to meet international demand for remdesivir in October, thanks to improvements in its own processes and an expanded manufacturing network.

The California-based company said it has increased its remdesivir supply more than 50-fold since January and has cut its complex manufacturing process to six months, down from between nine months to one year.

Gilead has also partnered with more than 40 companies in North America, Europe and Asia to supply the much-desired drug, including a multi-year deal announced last week with Pfizer to manufacture remdesivir at its McPherson, Kan., facility.

In addition to the expanded manufacturing network, the company has also granted voluntary licensing agreements to nine generic drugmakers to produce the antiviral for low-income countries. Those firms are now beginning the lengthy manufacturing process.

“We plan to produce more than 2 million treatment courses by the end of the year, and we anticipate producing several million more in 2021 if needed,” Gilead said.

Remdesivir is the only antiviral to receive the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, and trial results show it can speed recovery and reduce the risk of mortality (DID, July 13).

Gilead has priced its five-day, six-vial courses of the drug at $3,120 for U.S. insurers and $2,340 for governments of developed nations, including the U.S. (DID, June 30). — James Miessler