The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted approval for the emergency use of an oral drug, developed by the DRDO for the treatment of Covid-19 patients, Times Now reported.
“DCGI has granted permission for emergency use of therapeutic application of drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients,” the DRDO said.
The DRDO has developed 2-DG with the collaboration with Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories.
The agency said that the oral drug “can be easily produced and made available in plenty” being a “generic molecule and analogue of glucose”.
A higher proportion of patients treated with 2-DG showed RT-PCR negative conversion in COVID patients.
In efficacy trends, the patients treated with 2-DG showed faster symptomatic cure than Standard of Care (SoC) on various endpoints, the DRDO said.
The drug comes in powder form in sachet, which is taken orally by dissolving it in water.
It accumulates in the virus-infected cells and prevents virus growth by stopping viral synthesis and energy production.
India is battling the second wave of Covid-19 infections with many states grappling with an acute shortage of medical oxygen, beds, and crucial medicines.