The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO’s) new anti COVID drug, approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). DRDO scientists said it is effective against different variants of the coronavirus and helps in bringing out patients out of oxygen support.
As per the scientist at the DRDO’s Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, “In the Phase 3 trial for 2- deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), a large number of patients were tested and it was found that many patients are coming out of oxygen support. The mechanism of action is very unique and as per the basic principles of this drug, it will be very effective on different variants of the SARS- CoV-2 virus.”
In a statement DRDO informed that the clinical trial results have shown that this molecule helps in faster recovery of hospitalized patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence. A higher proportion of patients treated with 2-DG showed RT-PCR negative conversion in Covid patients. The drug will be of immense benefit to the people suffering from Covid-19 in the ongoing pandemic. This comes as a promising development amid the devastating second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, which has brought the country’s healthcare infrastructure to its knees.