DRDO’s 1st batch of anti-Covid drug 2DG launched

The first batch of anti-COVID drug 2-DG, developed by the DRDO was launched on Monday by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.
The drug would be the “first indigenous research-based outcome” to battle the virus, and can “reduce recovery time and oxygen dependency” within the nation, Vardhan mentioned on the launch.
The approval comes as India continues to grapple with a steady surge in a lethal second wave. The healthcare system has stretched and there are big gaps within the provide and demand of medical oxygen.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) earlier this month authorised the oral drug for emergency use as an adjunct remedy in average to extreme coronavirus sufferers.
The scientific trials of the drug, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) confirmed that it hastens the restoration course of and supplemental oxygen dependence, the well being ministry mentioned.
The anti-COVID therapeutic software of the drug has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) in collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) in Hyderabad.
The drug is available in powder type in a sachet and is taken orally by dissolving it in water, the ministry mentioned.
“In the ongoing second COVID-19 wave, a large number of patients are facing severe oxygen dependency and need hospitalisation. The drug is expected to save precious lives due to the mechanism of its operation in the infected cells. This also reduces the hospital stay of COVID-19 patients,” the ministry had mentioned.