Study results for a leading potential coronavirus treatment were accidentally released by the WHO and then taken down

FILE - In this March 2020 photo provided by Gilead Sciences, a vial of the investigational drug remdesivir is visually inspected at a Gilead manufacturing site in the United States. Given through an IV, the medication is designed to interfere with an enzyme that reproduces viral genetic material. (Gilead Sciences via AP)Associated Press

A leading coronavirus treatment candidate did not help severe coronavirus patients survive better than a placebo group, according to study results reported by STAT.

STAT reported that the World Health Organization's website accidentally posted a summary of study results showing the experimental antiviral drug remdesivir did not benefit patients.

The WHO has since taken down the inadvertent posting. Gilead and WHO did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Gilead's stock fell 5.9% to $76.51 on Thursday afternoon.

According to STAT, the posting showed that 13.9% of patients on remdesivir died after a month of follow-up, compared to 12.8% who got a placebo. The trial was focused on a group of patients with severe COVID-19.

It is the second unusual leak of remdesivir data in a matter of days. STAT had also reported on a leaked video showing University of Chicago researchers discussing promising results from a different remdesivir study.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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