The Drugs Controller General of India has approved an oral drug to treat COVID-19 called the 2-DG.

The 2-DG was developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation for Emergency Use.

 2-DG is 2-Deoxy – D – Glucose. It was developed in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.

The Dr Reddy’s Laboratories had partnered with Russian Direct Investment Fund to conduct clinical trials of Sputnik vaccine in India. It will soon distribute the Russian vaccine in the country.

About 2-DG drug

The drug ensures faster recovery of hospitalised patients and will reduce supplemental oxygen dependence during clinical trials.

It accumulates in infected cells and stops viral synthesis. This accumulation makes the drug unique.

The drug comes in a powdered form in sachets. It is consumed orally after dissolving in water.

It was developed by Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS).

INMAS is a laboratory operating under DRDO.

The DGCI has granted permission for emergency use of the drug in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients.

2-DG is a generic molecule and thus can be easily produced and made available in plenty in the country.

How are 2-DG accumulated in the cells?

The 2 DG drug, like glucose, spreads through the body, reaches the virus-infected cells and prevents virus growth by stopping viral synthesis .

The drug also works on virus infection spread into lungs which help us to decrease patients dependability on oxygen.

2-DG as Tumour therapeutic

The cancer cells have higher glucose uptake. Thus, when 2-DG is injected into cancer patients, it acts as a good marker for cancer cells.