Remdesivir is the first drug to show effectiveness against COVID-19 and its emergency use has been permitted by several countries.
Gilead Sciences is to trial an inhaled version of remdesivir, a drug which it says shows promise in the treatment of COVID-19.
The pharmaceutical company said in an open letter that it would screen healthy volunteers for Phase 1 trials this week, and aim to start them in August.
Chairman and chief executive Daniel O’Day said: “If the trials are successful, this could represent important progress.
“Remdesivir, our investigational antiviral medicine, is currently given to patients intravenously through daily infusions in the hospital.
“An inhaled formulation would be given through a nebuliser, which could potentially allow for easier administration outside the hospital, at earlier stages of disease.
“That could have significant implications in helping to stem the tide of the pandemic.
