New Delhi, Jun 9: Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), a constituent laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and a Hyderabad based pharmaceutical company Lee Pharma have entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement for the synthesis of 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (2-DG).
Recently, 2-DG developed by Defence Ministry research wing DRDO and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has received approval for use in Covid-19 patients which has been found to help speed up recovery and reduce oxygen dependence.
The DRDO’s partner Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has launched the drug in the form of sachets.
Lee Pharma will also be filing the application for getting the approval from Drug Controller General of India and also for for manufacturing and commercializing the 2-DG sachets from their formulation facility located at SEZ at Duvvada in Visakhapatnam.
CSIR-IICT Director Dr Srivari Chandrashekar said, “There is role of CSIR in development of 2-DG, as CSIR-CCMB tested the drug on SARS-CoV-2 viral cultures. CSIR has been engaged in development of drugs for treatment of Covid-19 and has undertaken many clinical trials for repurposed drugs. Additionally, this agreement with Lee Pharma Ltd. is towards increasing affordable therapeutic options for treatment of Covid-19”.
On the occasion, the Director of Lee Pharma Raghumitra Alla said, “This collaboration with CSIR-IICT for 2-DG, API is part of our broader strategy for enhancing Covid-19 treatment options.
Further CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad is well-known for its high quality research & development of various new molecules and we feel proud to be associated with them, he added.
