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2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) drug first batch was released on Monday by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan. The drug is developed and it has been approved for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe coronavirus patients earlier this month.
Dr VK Paul, member (health) of Niti Aayog, on Tuesday said COVID-19 National Task Force will examine the 2-DG drug before adding it to the treatment protocol. Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted permission for emergency use, he added.
The 2-DG drug is an add-on and not a substitute for any of the drugs that are used to treat coronavirus patients, said Deepak Sapra, the CEO of Pharmaceutical Services and API, Dr. Reddy’s labs.
Speaking to ANI, Sapra said that 2DG is a molecule developed by Dr. Reddy’s labs in partnership with DRDO’s INMAS (Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences), and was originally developed for the treatment of cancer.
“The 2DG drug, which stands for 2 deoxy D glucose, was originally developed for the treatment of cancer and was repurposed for the treatment of Covid-19 last year. Clinical trials were conducted and it was found out that this drug can help Covid patients in moderate and severe conditions,” he said.
