GS-441524

GS-441524 is an antiviral drug that is structurally related to remdesivir. It is a nucleoside analogue, which means it mimics the building blocks of RNA and DNA. When incorporated into the growing RNA chain of a virus, it causes premature termination of transcription, effectively stopping the virus from replicating.

History[edit | edit source]

GS-441524 was first synthesized by Gilead Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company based in the United States. It was initially developed as a potential treatment for Ebola virus disease, but it was later found to be effective against other viruses, including the coronavirus that causes Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) in cats.

Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]

GS-441524 works by inhibiting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), an enzyme that is crucial for the replication of RNA viruses. By incorporating itself into the growing RNA chain, GS-441524 causes premature termination of transcription, effectively stopping the virus from replicating.

Clinical Use[edit | edit source]

GS-441524 has been used experimentally to treat cats with FIP, a fatal and incurable disease caused by a coronavirus. It has also been proposed as a potential treatment for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. However, as of now, it is not approved for use in humans.

Safety and Side Effects[edit | edit source]

The safety and side effects of GS-441524 are not well-studied in humans. In cats, it has been reported to cause mild side effects such as loss of appetite and lethargy.