Union Minister for Defence Rajnath Singh released the 1st batch of Anti-COVID-19 therapeutic drug ‘2-DG (2-deoxy-D-glucose)’. It is the 1st indigenous therapeutic drug developed by India to fight COVID-19.
- It has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) in collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL), Hyderabad, Telangana.
- In May 2021, Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) had approved emergency use of 2-DG as adjunct therapy (supplement therapy) in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients.
- The 1st batch was handed over to Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan, Dr Randeep Guleria – Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (AIIMS), and Lt Gen Sunil Kant of Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).
2-DG
i.It is an oral drug. The 1st batch of 10, 000 doses of 2 DG medicine is set to be launched before the end of May, 2021.
- The clinical trials of the drug showed that it fastens the recovery process and reduces oxygen dependency by around 40%.
- It will also reduce the hospital stay of COVID-19 patients.
ii.The drug accumulates in the virus-infected cells and prevents its growth by stopping viral synthesis and energy production.
- The selective accumulation in virally infected cells make the drug unique.
Recent Related News:
January 31, 2021, According to the ‘COVID Performance Index’ released by Lowy Institute, India was ranked at 86 out of 98 Countries on the basis of its response towards tackling the Pandemic. New Zealand topped the list followed by Vietnam & Taiwan.
About Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS):
It is an lab of DRDO
Director – Anil Kumar Mishra
Location – Delhi
About Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
Chairman – Satish Reddy
Headquarters – Hyderabad, Telangana
