Last month, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had approved the oral medication for emergency usage as adjuvant therapy in mild to severe COVID-19 patients.
Category: Covid-19
** The medical futurists: Hyderabad techies launch AI tool to forecast number of hospital beds needed to tackle Covid
“Being forewarned is being forearmed. States can use this information to be Covid-ready, perhaps convert schools and colleges as hospitals to deal with emergencies,” say the team members, comprising Hyderabad-based working professionals Sateesh Kumar Talupuri, Shruti Galande, Mahita GM, Vasundhara Konanki, and Chiru Hasini Tondapu.
** India may become first country to have a DNA-based Covid vaccine: Mansukh Mandaviya
** France recognises India’s Covishield vaccine for travel
Paris: France will allow international travellers who have had AstraZeneca’s Indian-manufactured vaccine (Covishield) into the country starting Sunday
** IITH develops cheaper COVID-19 testing kit ‘COVIHOME’
This test kit can produce results within 30 minutes for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, a release said.
An Artificial Intelligence-powered COVID-19 test that can be performed at an affordable cost at home has been developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad (IITH) led by Prof. Shiv Govind Singh of the department of electrical engineering, it was announced on Thursday.
** Senator Logistics donates 100 oxygen concentrators
Philanthropists have resumed donating to the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund to help fight COVID-19.
Senator Logistics India will donate 100 oxygen concentrators costing ₹1.43 crore. Its managing director Oliver Nees handed over the letter to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
Medical and Family Welfare Minister Ma. Subramanian handed over ₹77 lakh to Mr. Stalin. The amount was donated by various organisations and individuals. Chennai Nadar Peravai chipped in with ₹30 lakh, and district president Ernavur A. Narayanan handed over the sum to the Chief Minister. Nellai-Thoothukudi Nadar Magamai Paripalana Sangam, Chennai Vazh Nadar Sangam and Perambur Vattara Nadargal Aikkiya Sangam contributed ₹25 lakh. Tirunelveli Dakshan Mara Nadar Sangam chipped in with a like sum. Kovai and Madurai Nadar Sangam Trusts donated ₹20 lakh.
** Man climbs Mount Everest within 7 weeks of recovering from Covid-19
Neeraj Chaudhary tested positive for Covid-19 on the day he was to start from Kathmandu for Mount Everest.
But that did not deter the IIT Delhi alumnus who returned to the base camp within weeks of his recovery and ultimately managed to hoist the institution’s flag, besides the tricolour, atop the summit.
** Sanofi, GSK get nod for Phase 3 efficacy trial of their Covid -19 vaccine candidate in India
In this partnership Sanofi provides its recombinant antigen and GSK contributes its pandemic adjuvant, both established vaccine platforms that have proven successful against influenza.
Sanofi and GSK said they have received approval for their Phase 3 clinical study in India, to assess the safety, efficacy and immunogenicity of their adjuvanted recombinant-protein COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
The global, randomised, double-blind Phase 3 study will include more than 35,000 volunteers aged 18 and older across sites in the U.S., Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
** CoWin platform made open source: PM Modi
“There is no parallel to such a pandemic in hundred years and no nation, however powerful, can solve a challenge like this in isolation,” Mr. Modi said, and added that all had to work together.
“Guided by the approach of ‘One Earth, One Health’, humanity will certainly overcome this pandemic,” he said.
** Laurus Labs gets DRDO licence to make anti-COVID drug 2DG
Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had on May 1 accorded emergency approval for use of 2DG on COVID-19 patients.
Drugmaker Laurus Labs has received licence from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to manufacture and market 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (2DG), an oral drug indicated as an adjunct therapy for hospitalised COVID-19 patients.
Announcing this, the company said it has already applied for emergency use authorisation for the product with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had on May 1 accorded emergency approval for use of 2DG on COVID-19 patients.