Amid news reports that PGIMER has successfully tested the vaccine or drug for the treatment of Covid-19, the institute on Sunday clarified that the testing is in the pre-study phase.
The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research has begun assessing the safety of Mycobacterium w (Mw) in four hospitalized patients with Covid-19 and found no short-term adverse effects of the drug in the pre-study phase.
Three hospitals are involved in the clinical trial which includes AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Bhopal and PGIMER for Mycobacterium w (Mw).
“PGIMER Chandigarh, AIIMS Delhi, and AIIMS Bhopal are studying the use of Mycobacterium w (heat-killed Mycobacterium indicus pranii) as adjunct to the treatment of critically ill Covid-19 patients. Mycobacterium w (Mw) originally developed as an immunomodulator for leprosy, acts through the toll-like receptor pathway and enhances host-T cell responses,” said an official spokesman of PGIMER.
The spokesman said, “In a recently concluded multi-center trial, we found that Mw reduces mortality in ICU patients with severe sepsis. Mw can potentially decrease the cytokine storm seen in patients with Covid-19, and may thus be of potential benefit in managing these patients and decreasing mortality.”
“In the pre-study phase, we assessed safety of Mw in four hospitalized patients with Covid-19, and found no short-term adverse effects. The impact of Mw use on long term safety and efficacy will only be known after conclusion of this CSIR-supported clinical trial, which will be initiated soon at all three centres. It is very early to say about the outcome of results and its use,” the spokesman added.
The objective of the study is to carry out controlled clinical trials to compare the efficacy and safety in Covid-19 positive patients but not the ones who are critical.
The immune-boosting drug which was developed in 1966 by Indians as an anti-leprosy drug has found some success in the cure for TB, cancer, and warts.