EU executive signs remdesivir deal with Gilead

[BRUSSELS] The European Union's executive said on Wednesday it has signed a contract with Gilead for its Covid-19 medicine remdesivir that would cover 30,000 patients in the bloc from early August.

"The Commission signed a contract with the pharmaceutical company Gilead for ensuring treatment doses of Veklury - the brand name for remdesivir. As of early August onwards, batches of this medicine Veklury will be made available to member states and the UK," a spokeswoman for the European Commission, Dana Spinant, told a regular news briefing.

She said the contract was worth 63 million euros (S$101.7 million) and would provide treatment to 30,000 patients with severe Covid-19 symptoms.

"This first batch will therefore address just immediate needs. At the same time, the Commission is [also now preparing joint procurement for further supplies of this medicine, which will cover additional needs from October onwards," she said.

REUTERS

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