Minister of Defence, Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan today jointly launched the new COVID drug 2-DG at DRDO Bhawan. The anti-COVID-19 therapeutic application of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) has been developed by Institute of medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), along side Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL), Hyderabad.
One box each of the sachets of the drug was handed over to Dr Randeep Guleria. Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and Lt Gen Shri Sunil Kant of soldiers Medical Services (AFMS).
Speaking at the launch Dr Harsh Vardhan remarked that today may be a historic day in our fight against COVID and congratulated the scientific community and DRDO for his or her patience and perseverance for developing first indigenous medicine. He said that the drug has the potential to become a game changer in our response against COVID pandemic because it reduces the dependence of patients on oxygen administration and has the potential of getting absorbed differentially and during a selected manner. within the COVID infected cells, it inhibits virus synthesis and energy production for the method .
Dr Harsh Vardhan further stated that around thirty hospitals were involved within the clinical trials of this drug. He said that the drug will attend the selective cells and stop synthesis of virus and reduce recovery time.
Expressing his gratitude towards the Defence Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that thanks to the efforts of Defence Ministry and DRDO, several PSA plants are successfully installed in Delhi and across the country.
Dr Harsh Vardhan also cautioned against complacency and said that we’ll convert the war against COVID by collective efforts and by following COVID Appropriate Behaviour.
Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy expressed confidence that the anti-COVID drug will help the patients get over the deadly virus, hoping that DRL, Hyderabad will take it forward and shortly make the drug available for the patients.
Joining the event virtually, Chairman, DRL Shri Kallam Satish Reddy said, “Dr. Reddy’s is glad to possess partnered with DRDO and INMAS within the development of 2-DG. this is often a re-affirmation of our company’s efforts to deal with COVID through a number of therapeutics and vaccine.”