New Delhi: CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology Hyderabad, a constituent laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Anthem Biosciences Pvt. Ltd., a Bangalore-based integrated Biopharmaceutical company, signed an agreement for technology transfer and manufacture of the anti-COVID drug 2-DG.
Studies have shown that the anti-COVID oral drug 2- DG has resulted in quick recovery and reduction in oxygen dependence among moderately and severely affected patients. This drug in the form of powder formulation was earlier launched by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories in India.
Under the terms of the license agreement, Anthem Biosciences Pvt. Ltd. gets a non-exclusive license for the process know-how for the synthesis of 2-DG (2-Deoxy-D-Glucose).
“The agreement is in line with CSIR’s efforts to help people access various therapeutic options to combat COVID-19. CSIR labs have undertaken clinical trials of various repurposed drugs for the treatment of COVID-19”, said Dr Chandrasekhar, Director CSIR-IICT.
Anthem Biosciences Pvt. Ltd. is in the process of applying to the DCGI, New Delhi, for approval, and will subsequently manufacture and commercialize 2-DG from their facilities located at Bommasandra, Bangalore & Harohalli, Kanakapura, Karnataka.
Speaking on the occasion Ajay Bhardwaj, CEO & founder of Anthem Biosciences said “Anthem Biosciences is in the forefront of working on a niche and complex biopharmaceuticals. We have hands-on experience in the development and manufacturing of the prodrug of 2-DG API for a discovery research biopharmaceutical company from the USA. Because of our prior experience on 2-DG Prodrug, post DCGI approval, we are geared up to supply multi-ton API to meet the immediate demand that might arise due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic”.
“We have also developed domestic vendors for key raw materials for uninterrupted supplies to manufacture 2-DG API. Alternatively, we have developed an in-house process for key raw materials as we foresee the short supplies of these materials in coming months”, Bhardwaj added. (India Science Wire)