The Drugs Controller General of India has granted permission to use DRDO's drug in emergency use as therapy to treat Covid-19 cases, the Ministry of Defence.

A 2-DG, an anti-COVID-19 application of the drug, has been permitted as a supplement therapy in moderate to severe COVID cases. The Ministry of Defence also reported that it is easy to be produced in the nation since the drug has a generic molecule and analogue of glucose.

The drug has been developed by the lab of the Defence Research and Development Organisation at INMAS (Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences) in partnership with DRL (Dr Reddy’s Laboratories), Hyderabad.

The results of the clinical trial have proved that the molecule assists in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and also reduces their supplemental oxygen dependence.

Out of all the patients treated with 2-DG, the significant Higher proportion showed negative RT-PCR in corona patients, informed the Ministry.

The drug is available in sachet in powder form which is taken orally by dissolving it in water. Then, the drug gets accumulated in the virus infected cells and prevents its growth by stopping energy production and viral synthesis.

During the 1st wave of the pandemic, the scientists of INMAS-DRDO conducted laboratory experiments with the assistance of CCMB (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology), Hyderabad. They found that the molecule works successfully against SARS-CoV-2 virus and hinders the viral growth. Based on this, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization permitted 2-DG's Phase-II clinical trial in corona patients in May 2020.