DRDO To Transfer Technology Of Anti-COVID Drug 2-DG To India Pharma Firms, Invites EoI
by Swarajya Staff - Jun 9, 2021 07:25 AM
DRDO Logo (Pic Via Wikipedia)
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has sought Expression of Interest (EoI) for transfer of technology for bulk manufacturing of the 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (2-DG), a drug developed by the DRDO for treatment of Covid-19 patients.
The drug has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of the DRDO, in collaboration with Dr Reddy s Laboratories (DRL), Hyderabad.
2-DG is a glucose analogue, which has the 2-hydroxyl group replaced by hydrogen. The molecule is transported in cells by the glucose transporters on the cell membrane but it cannot undergo further glycolysis and act as inhibitor of glycolysis. Therefore, cells with higher glucose uptake, for example tumor cells, virally infected cells, inflammatory cells have also a higher uptake of 2-DG.
Last date to submit EoI applications through email is June 17. EoI submitted by industries will be scrutinised by a Technical Assessment Committe, a DRDO statement said
Read more about DRDO invites expression of interest for bulk production of Covid drug 2-DG on Business Standard. The 2-DG is developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of DRDO, in collaboration with Dr Reddy Laboratories.
Requirements for the bidders include a drug license to manufacture Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) from Drug Licensing Authorities and WHO GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certification