Anti-Covid drug developed by DRDO

  • The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved the emergency use of Drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe Covid-19 patients. 
DEVELOPMENT
  • The Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has developed the drug, in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Hyderabad.
  • In April 2020, during the first wave of the pandemic, INMAS-DRDO scientists conducted had laboratory experiments with the help of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad.
  • It found that this molecule works effectively against SARS-CoV-2 virus and inhibits the viral growth. 
WORKING
  • 2-DG, works by preventing the supply of glucose molecules to the cancerous cells, which need glucose for survival. 
  • With the drug stopping the glucose supply, the cells start dying. 
  • 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. 
  • Its selective accumulation in virally infected cells makes this drug unique.

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