Use of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) drug developed by DRDO gets emergency use nod
• The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted permission for emergency use of an anti-COVID-19 therapeutic application of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Hyderabad.
• The emergency use of this drug as adjunct therapy in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients is permitted.
• Being a generic molecule and analogue of glucose, it can be easily produced and made available in plenty in the country.
• The drug comes in powder form in sachets and is taken orally by dissolving it in water. It accumulates in the virus infected cells and prevents their growth by stopping viral synthesis and energy production.
• Its selective accumulation in virally infected cells makes this drug unique.
