[2][3][4][5] In several countries oral GS-441524 tablets (and injectable remdesivir) became legally available to vets for the treatment of FIP in cats, for example Australia,[6] the Netherlands,[7][a] and the United Kingdom.

Since untreated feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is fatal in almost all cases[9] and in most countries there are no approved treatments available, GS-441524 has reportedly been sold illegally worldwide on the black market and used by pet owners to treat affected cats, although Gilead Sciences has refused to license the drug for veterinary use.

[6][12][13][14] As of 2023, oral GS-441524 tablets or capsules (and injectable remdesivir) became legally available to vets for the treatment of FIP in cats in Australia,[6] the Netherlands,[7][a] and the United Kingdom.

[2][16][17][18] Specific advantages cited include ease of synthesis, lower kidney and hepatotoxicity, as well as potential for oral delivery (which is precluded of remdesivir because of poor hepatic stability and first pass metabolism).

A deuterium modified version of GS-441524 has been produced and has shown pre-clinical efficacy in both cell culture and mouse models by a team including members of Wuhan Institute of Virology.

[25][26] A subsidiary of Shanghai Junshi Biosciences received conditional approval for VV116, now named deuremidevir, to treat adults with COVID-19 from China's National Medical Products Administration on January 30, 2023.

[11][5] Some researchers suggesting its utility as a treatment for COVID-19 have pointed out advantages over remdesivir, including lack of on-target liver toxicity, longer half-life and exposure (AUC) and much cheaper and simpler synthesis.