March 12, 2020
'Social distancing': Americans scatter as coronavirus spreads without treatment or vaccine
Biology and biochemistry professor Eugene Wu, who researches viruses, is quoted.
Viruses
Eugene Wu, associate professor of biology and biochemistry, studies viruses and can comment on potential antivirals that could work against this year's virus.
"With the world in desperate need of life-saving treatments for the thousands of infected persons around the world, we can’t wait for the development of a new drug that would take years to reach the clinic," said Wu. "Laboratory tests have shown that a drug called remdesivir is highly effective at inhibiting the RNA copying machine of several different coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent for COVID-19. Even at low doses that do not harm cells, remdesivir prevents coronaviruses from replicating in human cells and in mice."
Contact director of media and public relations Sunni Brown at sbrown5@richmond.edu to connect with Wu.
