text: * RdRps can be used as drug targets for viral pathogens as their function is not necessary for eukaryotic survival. By inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase function, new RNAs cannot be replicated from an RNA template strand, however, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase will remain functional.
  * There are currently antiviral drugs against Hepatitis C and COVID-19 that specifically target  RdRp. These include Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin against Hepatitis C and Remdesivir, the only FDA approved drug against COVID-19.
  * GS-441524 triphosphate, is a substrate for  RdRp, but not mammalian polymerases. It results in premature chain termination and inhibition of viral replication. GS-441524 triphosphate is the biologically active form of the phosphate pro-drug, Remdesivir. Remdesivir is classified as a nucleotide analog in which it works to inhibit the function of  RdRp by covalently binding to and interrupting termination of the nascent RNA through early or delayed termination or preventing further elongation of the RNA polynucleotide. This early termination leads to nonfunctional RNA that will be degraded through normal cellular processes.