remdesivir

American  

[rem-des-uh-veer] / ˌrɛmˈdɛs ə vɪər /

noun

1. an antiviral medicine, first used to fight the Ebola virus, that prevents an RNA-based virus from reproducing within an infected cell by blocking it from replicating its viral genome.

   The hunt was on to find older antiviral drugs like remdesivir that could be repurposed to treat the new virus.

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Etymology

Origin of remdesivir

First recorded in 2015–20; rem- prefix of unknown origin + -desi- infix, probably an alteration of adenosine , designating an adenosine analog + -vir shortening of virus or viral , a combining form designating an antiviral compound; see adenosine ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

remdesivir

Its drug remdesivir, which was used to treat Covid, also inhibited the Bundibugyo strain in one lab study.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

However Geisbert said that during tests in his lab, remdesivir had "stronger in vitro data against Bundibugyo than it does for Zaire".

From Barron's ● May 19, 2026

In 2020, remdesivir was authorized for emergency use and then fully approved during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 3, 2024

The CDC says Paxlovid and remdesivir are the preferred treatments for eligible COVID-19 patients.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2024

Patients eligible to take part in the trial will undergo a series of tests before and after they are given remdesivir, including exercise tolerability, to monitor any improvements.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2023