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The R&D team at Ahmedabad based Intas Pharma has developed COVID-19 specific Hyperimmune Globulin as treatment for patients suffering from moderate to severe COVID-19 infection.
Hyperimmune Globulin also has potential for use as prophylaxis for all high-risk population in contact with COVID-19 patients. This could be an important therapeutic option that can potentially help combat the disease until a vaccine is available.
Intas is among the world's first to adopt this approach for treating COVID-19 patients. This will be a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative from Intas in collaboration with all Indian Blood Banks, that will help to procure convalescent plasma (plasma extracted from patients recovered from COVID-19 infection).
Intas has received permission from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), to conduct clinical trial by using the newly developed COVID-19 specific Hyperimmune Globulin. After establishing its usefulness in the clinical trial, this product will be available for use in treating COVID-19 patients.
Commenting on the development, Dr Alok Chaturvedi, Head of Medical & Regulatory Affairs, Intas, mentioned that "This endeavour is a testament to Intas' commitment towards meeting unmet medical need of the society through research driven solutions."
Intas is establishing an alliance with medical and research institutions, blood donation groups to collect the plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients. Intas will shortly launch a website to help recovered COVID-19 patients to locate the nearest Blood Bank where they can safely donate plasma. The company seeks government support to facilitate the supply of convalescent plasma for the manufacturing of these enriched Hyperimmune Globulin and thereby help more patients conquer COVID-19.
