First patient to be treated with Richter’s coronavirus drug left hospital

The diabetic patient was admitted to the university clinic on October 14 for a serious condition, worsening cough, dyspnea and pneumonia, where he received that same day an anti-coronavirus containing the active principle remdesivir, manufactured by Richter. The patient received the so-called combination therapy, that is, in addition to remdesivir, he received steroids, thrombosis prevention and vitamins, and received high-flow oxygen therapy. As a result of the treatment, her condition improved significantly, so she was discharged from the department on October 25, recovering at home.

To date, 19 COVID-19 patients have received Hungarian-made remdesivir at Semmelweis University,

Of which three departments, the Department of Pulmonology, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, and the Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, are also participating in a clinical trial of a coronavirus drug manufactured by Richter.

The infusion inhibitor remdesivir can be given to patients with severe medical conditions who require oxygen treatment in hospital, but not to patients with severe liver failure or severe kidney failure.

Clinical trials of the Hungarian-made remdesivir began in mid-October in Hungary, with the participation of the four medical universities. Remdesivir, made by Richter, has also been FDA certified by the US Food and Drug Administration since October 22.

Richter has produced around 3,000 doses of the drug containing the active ingredient remdesivir, and there are still enough drugs available to treat about 260 patients (they have already undergone quality control and are available in the form of injections). Richter has been commissioned by the government to develop remdesivir and is also funded by the government. Richter delivers the manufactured drugs, they are not marketed, so no sales revenue is generated for the company.

Cover image: Getty Images