IICT enters into an MoU with with Anthem Biosciences for 2-DG
The agreement with Anthem Biosciences is the second collaboration on 2-DG drug announced by IICT.
Hyderabad: City- based Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) on Tuesday announced signing an agreement for technology transfer and manufacture of the anti Covid drug 2-DG with Anthem Biosciences Pvt. Ltd, a Bengaluru-based integrated biopharmaceutical company.
The agreement with Anthem Biosciences is the second collaboration on 2-DG drug announced by IICT. A few days ago, it entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Hyderabad-based Lee Pharma for synthesis of 2-DG.
The 2-DG drug, which was developed by DRDO and launched by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, is still available in limited quantities across the country. The multiple collaborations of IICT with pharma companies is expected to make 2-DG accessible and affordable in the near future.
Limited studies have shown that 2- DG helps in quick recovery and reduction in oxygen dependence among moderately and severely affected Covid patients. On May 1, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) approved 2-DG for emergency use among such patients.
Under the terms of the license agreement, Anthem Biosciences gets non-exclusive license for the process knowhow for synthesis of 2-DG. “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,” Director, CSIR-IICT, Dr S Chandrasekhar said.
Anthem Biosciences is in the process of filing the application for getting the approval from DCGI and will subsequently manufacture and commercialise 2-DG from their facilities located at Bommasandra, Bangalore and Harohalli, Kanakapura, Karnataka.
“We have hands-on experience in the development and manufacturing of 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 pandemic,” said Ajay Bhardwaj, CEO and Founder of Anthem Biosciences.
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