Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
Mankind Pharma DRDO Anti-Covid DrugSource: Crunchbase

On Thursday, The Pharmaceuticals firm Mankind Pharma informed that it has received a licence from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to manufacture and market oral 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), an Anti- COVID drug. 

2-DG  is used in the treatment of covid-19 and it was developed by the Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior. Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of DRDO, in association with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Mankind Pharma has conducted the clinical trials, said in a statement.

The government release says that clinical trial data shows the drug accumulates in virus-infected cells, and prevents the virus growth, thus, it helps in the faster recovery of the patient hospitalised with Covid-19, and reduces their dependence on supplemental oxygen. 

This anti-Covid drug from DRDO reduces the covid-19 virus to multiple further and reduces cells from infection-induced cytopathic effect and cell death, as per the study conducted in June.

Being a generic molecule and an analogue of glucose means 2-DG can be manufactured easily and in large quantities, the release added.

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) earlier had allowed the emergency use of 2-DG as an adjunct treatment for moderate to severe Covid-19 infections on May 1, Mankind Pharma told news agency PTI. “Our objective behind this agreement is to ensure maximum reach of this medication to the deserving Indian patients suffering from the deadly pandemic,” the company said.

Government officials had announced that the cap price of 2-DG will be fixed at ₹900 per sachet, and sold by the Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. And, DRDO would provide the drug to central and state governments at no cost. 

 

By Harshita Sharma

I bring to you updates from business, policy and economy spectrum.

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