Lucknow: Central Narcotics Research Institute (CDRI) on Tuesday claimed that the clinical trial of antivirus drugs, Umifenovir, in the treatment of Covid-19 had succeeded.
Umifenovir trials in 132 patients Covid-19 showed that, if the right dose was given twice a day for five days, the drug could effectively reduce viral load in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients who were mild or moderate by checking the multiplication of the virus.
The title ‘phase III, random, double-blind, efficacy, safety and tolerability of umifenovir antivirus drug vs.
standard treatment of therapy in non-severe covid-19 patients’, clinical trials carried out in three institutions – King George’s Medical University (KgMu), RAM Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIs) and Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital (Elmch).
“Because Umifenovir is an extensive spectrum antivirus and is used as a medication of a safe counter for influenza and pneumonia for more than 20 years in Russia, China and other countries, the first two trials are not obliged.
Therefore, CDRI directly goes for phase trials -III, which was carried out in 132 patients treated in hospitals or quarantine at home under the supervision of this hospital, “said Director of CDRI Prof.
Tapas Kundu.
“In a study, double-blind mode increases the reliability of the results by preventing bias when doctors evaluate patient outcomes.
The results of the study show that viral loads in patients are mild, medium or asymptomatics after being given two doses of umifenovir (800mg) twice a day, becomes zero -The five days.
The patient did not experience side effects and symptoms also did not change seriously, “he said.
“The study by CDRI in collaboration with CSIR-IMT, Chandigarh, also showed that Umifenovir showed off inhibition of good cell culture from SARS-COV2, which showed that the drug inhibited the entry of the SARS-COV2 virus into human cells,” said Prof.
Kundu.
He said the Institute received a patented dose plan because it was not used before for Covid-19.
“General Indian drug controllers (DCGI) have evaluated clinical trial reports and remembering very encouraging results, he has asked the team to continue his studies in lighter and lighter patients to provide emergency approval from the drug,” he added.
Chairman of Scientist, CDRI, Prof.
R Ravishankar, who led the team of scientists, said: “Umifenovir will be economical to treat Covid-19 patients because around 50-54% cheaper than the drug today.
Experts from three hospitals are part of This study said the drug was safe for pregnant women and children.
We see the possibility of umifenovir syrup for children and also in the form of powder so that it can be used as a puff inhaler.
“According to CDRI, Head of the Ministry of Medicine, Dr.
Virendra Atam, and supervisors Medical, Dr.
Himanshu Reddy, who is the main researcher of research at the University, which is mentioned in their report for the study that recovery faster than Coronic patients will reduce virus shedding and the consequences of the spread of infection to others.
It also said that the principal of the Medical College era, Prof.
Mma Faridi, was mentioned in its report that Umifenovir could be prescribed for pregnant women and children if approved by the authorities.
Likewise, Prof.
Vikram Singh from RMLim suggested that when Umifenovir was safe, he had significant efficacy in mild and asimptomatic patients and could also be useful as prophylaxis for high-risk patients.
CDRI spokesman Sanjeev Yadav said, “Umifenovir was chosen from 16 drugs suggested by CSIR after seeing the eligibility of the synthesis using chemicals available locally at the peak of a pandemic.
DCGI then gave permission to trial in June last year.” A team of CDRI chemists , Ajay K Srivastava, Chandra Bhushan Tripathi, Nilan Ghosh and Nilanjana Majumdar, and their students, synthesizing drugs and developing processing technology – chemical processing used to enhance raw products into finished products.
This technology is then transferred to a private pharmaceutical company based in Goa within one month to make “active pharmaceutical materials” (API) and tablets for trials.
Finally, after securing ethical approval and completing drug stability studies at CDRI, the research team took approval from patients and traced them for this research.