Dr Reddy Labs launches 2-DG oral anti-COVID drug commercially

In the initial weeks, the company will make the drug available in hospitals across metros and tier I cities, and subsequently expand coverage to the rest of India.

yderabad: Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. on Monday announced the commercial launch of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), which it will supply to major Government as well as private hospitals across India, under the brand name 2DGTM.

In the initial weeks, the company will make the drug available in hospitals across metros and tier I cities, and subsequently expand coverage to the rest of India, it informed.

“2-DG manufactured by Dr. Reddy’s has a purity of 99.5 percent,” it said. The oral drug was jointly developed by DRDO laboratory, the Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS) and Dr Reddy’s.

The price for the drug has been pegged at Rs. 990 for private procurements while for government supply, a subsidized rate will be offered.

“It can be administered only upon prescription and under the supervision of a qualified physician to hospitalised moderate to severe COVID-19 patients as an adjunct therapy to the existing standard of care. Emergency use approval for anti-COVID-19 therapeutic application of the drug was granted on May 1, 2021,” the company said.

Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy, Secretary Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman, DRDO said: “We are pleased to have worked closely with our long-term industry partner Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Hyderabad, for testing 2-DG as therapeutic application in treatment of COVID-19 patients. DRDO has been contributing in fight against COVID-19 pandemic with its spin off technologies.”

Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr. Reddy’s said: “2-DG is yet another addition to our COVID-19 portfolio that already covers the full spectrum of mild to moderate and severe conditions and includes a vaccine. We are extremely pleased to have partnered with DRDO in our collective fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”