Master protocols on deck as low enrollment stops Chinese trials of remdesivir

With both placebo-controlled Chinese trials of remdesivir halted, master protocols are now the best bet to demonstrate efficacy, or lack thereof, for Gilead’s antiviral against SARS-CoV-2.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) disclosed on Friday that a Phase III remdesivir trial run by the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in COVID-19 patients with severe disease ended early due to low enrollment. Now, a second Phase III Hubei trial, in patients with mild to moderate disease, is also suspended, according to ClinicalTrials.gov. Both trials on the site were updated Wednesday with the message: “The epidemic of COVID-19 has been controlled well in China, no eligible patients can be enrolled at present.”...