New Delhi (NVI) Anti-Covid drug 2-DG, developed by DRDO, was launched here today, about a week after it was granted emergency use approval by the government.
The medicine, which comes in the form of powder form and can be taken with water, was launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan at an event here.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted an emergency use for the drug last week.
According to the DRDO, clinical trial results have shown that the drug helps in faster recovery of hospitalised Covid patients and reduces supplemental dependence on oxygen.
A higher proportion of patients treated with 2-DG showed RT-PCR negative conversion in COVID patients. The medicine was found to be safe for COVID-19 patients in phase 2 trials, conducted between May and October last year, the DRDO has said.
During the first wave of the pandemic last year, INMAS-DRDO scientists conducted laboratory experiments with the help of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, and found that this molecule works effectively against the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) virus and inhibits viral growth.
Based on these results, the DCGI’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) permitted Phase-II clinical trial of 2- DG in COVID-19 patients in May last year.
During the Phase-II trials (including dose-ranging) conducted between May and October last year, the drug was found to be safe in COVID-19 patients and showed significant improvement in their recovery. The Phase-II trials were conducted in six hospitals and Phase II (dose-ranging) clinical trial was conducted at 11 hospitals all over the country. Phase-II trial was conducted on 110 patients.
