Why Gilead Sciences' Successful COVID-19 Results Fell Flat

Shares of Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) rose by just over 2% Friday after the company publicized a report that used a controversial method of analysis to suggest that its experimental antiviral drug, remdesivir, greatly improves patients' chances of surviving a case of COVID-19. During the single-arm Simple trial, severe COVID-19 patients treated with remdesivir in addition to standard of care had a 62% reduction in their risk of death compared to severe COVID-19 patients given standard of care alone. 

Does this comparison between two different populations mean remdesivir is on its way to becoming a blockbuster COVID-19 treatment? Unfortunately, this update raises more efficacy questions about the drug than it answers.

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Source Fool.com