DRDO's new drug 2-DG (2-deoxy-D-glucose) is being called a game-changer for its country in the face of the second wave of Corona. After getting the emergency approval of the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI), the question is being asked that what is the specialty in this medicine?
India is beating 4 big fronts in the war against Corona. First- lack of beds in hospitals, second- lack of oxygen, third- lack of medicines like Remedisiver, and fourth- dependence on foreign countries for medicine or vaccine raw materials.
The new corona drug 2-DG can significantly improve the condition on these four fronts.
DRDO itself says that this drug will reduce the dependence on the oxygen of the patients, as well as they will take 2-3 days less to recover, that is, the quick discharge of the patients from the hospital.
So let us know how this DRDO drug prepared with pharma company Dr. Reddy's Laboratories can help us win against Corona ...
Q. Why is this DRDO drug being called a game-changer in India's fight against Corona?
A. During the third phase clinical trial, 42% of the patients who did not need oxygen on the third day were given the DRDO drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) along with the prescribed drugs. At the same time, in the patients who were given medicines under the prescribed standard of treatment, ie Standard of Care (SoC), the figure was 31%.
Similarly, patients who were given 2-DG medication had their vital signs, ie, heart rate (pulse rate), blood pressure, fever, and breathing rate, normalized on average 2.5 days earlier than the rest of the patients. A sharp decline in corona symptoms was noted in patients taking the drug. Such patients will not have to stay in hospitals for long. The same results were found in corona patients older than 65 years.
Due to these results, DRDO scientists say that this drug will not only reduce the dependence on oxygen but can also overcome the shortage of beds in hospitals. This is why 2-DG is being called a game-changer.
Q. How does this Corona medicine work? What is its specialty?
Formulated at the laboratory of DRDO's Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), the drug is a substrate of glucose. It is structurally glucose-like but different. It is in powder form and is mixed with water and given to patients.
Coronaviruses take glucose from the patient's body for their energy. At the same time, this drug gets deposited only in infected cells. Coronaviruses start using this drug in the deception of glucose. In this way, the virus stops receiving energy, and their viral synthesis stops. That is, new viruses stop being formed and the rest of the viruses also die.
This drug was being prepared for the treatment of cancer. Since it only fills in the infected cell, due to its properties, this drug was being formulated with the idea of killing only cancer-prone cells. This drug is also used to give precise chemotherapy to cancer-prone cells.
Q. How and in what quantity will this medicine be taken?
Like common glucose, this drug will be found in powder form in sachets (pouches). Mix it in water and give it to the patient by mouth. The dosage and timing of medicine will be done by the doctor after examining the age, medical condition, etc. of the patient. DRDO scientists have also warned not to take this medicine in the name of avoiding corona without medical advice, or in excess.
Q. How much will the medicine cost?
No announcement has been made regarding the price of the drug yet. DRDO's project director, Dr. Sudhir Chandana, says that the price of the drug will depend on the mode and quantity of production. The project's industrial partner, Dr. Reddy's Lab, has to decide all this. Soon the price will also be revealed. It is believed that since the drug is made from generic molecules, it will not be expensive. On the other hand, sources are claiming that a pouch of medicine can cost between 500-600 rupees. It is believed that the government may also announce some subsidy in this.
Q. Now the country is getting more than 4 lakh, new corona patients, every day, will this medicine be available according to need?
This drug of Corona is made from the 2-DG generic molecule, which is generic. That is, the patent of the company that legally developed it on its original chemical has expired. Generic medicine has all the properties like a branded parent drug, although it's packaging, making process, color, taste, etc. can be different. In most countries, the company that develops the original drug gets a patent for 20 years. That is, during this time no one can make medicine without a license from that company. In return, they have to pay a hefty amount to the company that spends developing the medicine. Being generic, this medicine can be made in the plentiful form at a low price.
Q. Is raw material for making 2-DG medicine available in India or will it have to be imported?
This drug is a glucose analog, ie it is a glucose that is similar to natural glucose, but it is made synthetically. It is also easy to produce. Dr. Sudhir Chandana, director of this project at DRDO, has said in an interview that there is no problem with the availability of raw materials. According to the information, Dr. Reddy's Lab, which makes this medicine commercially, has enough raw material.
Q. When will the medicine start getting on the market?
According to the project director, Dr. Sudhir Chandana, the trial of 2-DG was done on patients with all three symptoms, mild, moderate, and severe. All types of patients benefited from this and did not see any serious side effects. Therefore, it is a safe medicine. The patients had a good recovery rate in the second phase trial and the oxygen dependence of the patients in the third phase trial was significantly reduced.
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