Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Remdesivir in Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women With COVID-19: Results From IMPAACT 2032

Abstract Background Pregnant people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experience higher risk for severe disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes, but no pharmacokinetic (PK) data exist to support dosing of COVID-19 therapeutics during pregnancy. We report PK and safety data for intravenous remdesivir in pregnancy. Methods IMPAACT 2032 was a phase 4 prospective, open-label, nonrandomized opportunistic study of hospitalized pregnant and nonpregnant women receiving intravenous remdesivir as part of clinical care. Intensive PK sampling was performed on infusion days 3, 4, or 5 with collection of plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Safety data were recorded from first infusion through 4 weeks after last infusion and at delivery. Geometric mean ratios (GMR) (90% confidence intervals [CI]) of PK parameters between pregnant and nonpregnant women were calculated. Results Fifty-three participants initiated remdesivir (25 pregnant; median gestational age, 27.6 weeks; interquartile range, 24.9–31.0 weeks). Plasma exposures of remdesivir, its 2 major metabolites (GS-704277 and GS-441524), and the free remdesivir fraction were similar between pregnant and nonpregnant participants. Concentrations of the active triphosphate (GS-443902) in PBMCs increased 2.04-fold (90% CI, 1.35–3.03) with each additional infusion in nonpregnant versus pregnant participants. Three adverse events in nonpregnant participants were related to treatment (1 grade 3; 2 grade 2 resulting in treatment discontinuation). There were no treatment-related adverse pregnancy outcomes or congenital anomalies detected. Conclusions Plasma remdesivir PK parameters were comparable between pregnant and nonpregnant women, and no safety concerns were identified based on our limited data. These findings suggest no dose adjustments are indicated for intravenous remdesivir during pregnancy. Clinical Trials Registration NCT04582266