As India battles the second wave of Covid infections, DRDO has developed an anti-covid drug that can reduce oxygen dependence and help speed recovery. Named ‘2-deoxy-D-glucose’ (2-DG), the drug was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) laboratory Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Hyderabad. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has recently approved the emergency use of 2 -DG in moderate doses as adjunctive therapy to severe Covid-19 patients.
How does the drug work?
According to the government release, the drug which accumulates in the infected cells stops the viral synthesis and energy production and thus prevents the virus growth. The unique feature is that it gets accumulated only on the infected cells. DRDO chairperson Dr G. Satheesh Reddy said it would also work against various variants of the coronavirus.
Were the trials successful?
During the first wave of Covid-19, in April 2020, INMAS-DRDO scientists conducted experiments with the help of the Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad. The trials showed that 2-DG’s molecules could act against the SARS-Cov-2 virus that causes coronavirus and would inhibit the virus growth. In May, DCGI approved the second phase of clinical trials in Covid patients.
Phase II trials on 110 patients conducted from May to October 2020 proved the drug safe. The DGCI sanctioned the third trial, held between December 2020 and March 2021, on 220 patients admitted at 27 Covid hospitals in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Patients who received 2 DG recovered quickly and required less oxygen dependence than those in the standard care group. In fact, oxygen dependence got completely reduced within three days. The treatment showed similar results in patients who were above 65. Experts believe that the new drug will restrain the demand for oxygen concentrators.
Price and Availability
The government says, as it is a glucose-based drug, it can be quickly manufactured. It is easy to consume as it comes in a sachet in powder form. It can be consumed by dissolving in water. Experts say, to fully recover, a Covid-19 patient may need to have this for five to seven days. Dr Sudhir Chandna of DRDO said the price of the drug would depend on the rate of production. The initial assessment believes the price will be affordable. 2-DG will be launched in the coming days in association with production partner Reddy’s Lab.
