In a substantial development, Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila has sought permission from the Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) to initiate human clinical trials for monoclonal antibodies cocktail for the treatment of coronavirus.
Therefore, it becomes a prerogative for us to know more about the newly-developed drug. Here is what we know about it so far:
- The antibody is a cocktail of two monoclonal antibodies, which mimic natural antibodies that the body generates to fight infection.
- The treatment candidate ZRC-3308 can reportedly reduce lung damage and has found to be safe and well-tolerated in animal toxicology studies.
- Not only lung damage, but the treatment candidate also reduced immune-effector functions to minimise potential tissue-damaging side effects of the coronavirus neutralising monoclonal antibodies thereby providing a safer product.
- If approved, ZRC-3308 will be the second antibody cocktail that will be cleared for use in India. Earlier, Regeneron and Roche's antibody cocktail had received emergency use approval. Moreover, it is being distributed by drugmaker Cipla. The first batch of the cocktail became available in the country earlier this week.
- According to reports, the drug will come in two doses and will cost INR 59,750 per dose for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate symptoms for COVID-19.
- Furthermore, in addition to the drug, Zydus Cadila is also developing a vaccine for the coronavirus.
As India tries to grapple with the second wave of the coronavirus, it is important to note that such a drug could prove to be life-altering amidst the innumerable deaths being recorded across the country at the moment.
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