Defence Minister has released the first batch of the indigenously developed anti-Covid-19 drug, 2-deoxy-D-glucose or ‘2-DG’.

What is the news?

• The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had cleared the formulation on May 1 for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe Covid-19 patients.

What is 2-DG?

• 2-DG has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), New Delhi, a lab of the DRDO in collaboration with Hyderabad-based pharma company Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL).
• The 2-DG anti-Covid drug is expected to reduce dependence on medical oxygen in Covid-19 infected patients.
• The pseudo glucose molecule in the drug stops the virus in the tracts.
• Hence, it has been prescribed for Coronavirus infected patients requiring critical medical oxygen.

How does it work?

• Clinical trial data show that the molecule helps in faster recovery of patients hospitalized with Covid-19, and reduces their dependence on supplemental oxygen.
• The drug accumulates in virus-infected cells, and prevents the growth of the virus by stopping viral synthesis and energy production.
• Its selective accumulation in virally-infected cells makes this drug unique.

Advantages

• 2-DG being a generic molecule and an analogue of glucose, it can be easily produced and made available in large quantities.
• The drug is available in powder form in a sachet, and can be taken orally after dissolving in water.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now