European stocks closed higher on Friday after a report that a drug developed by Gilead Sciences was showing effectiveness in treating the coronavirus.
Global stock markets rallied after STAT news reported that a Chicago hospital treating coronavirus patients with Remdesivir in a trial were recovering rapidly from severe symptoms.
On the data front, euro zone inflation slowed sharply in March to 0.7 percent year-on-year, down from 1.2 percent in February.
In terms of individual share price action, cinema operator Cineworld led the surge for travel and leisure stocks, climbing more than 21%, while Scottish energy services firm John Wood Group saw its shares jump over 13%.
At the other end of the European benchmark, German meal kit delivery company Hellofresh and biotech firm Diasorin fell 4.2% and 3.7% respectively.
