Prof. Hridayesh Prakash, Deputy Director, Amity Centre for Translational Research, Amity University Noida, along with partnering national labs, have pioneered a novel host directed approach to combat Tuberculosis (TB), particularly drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), by developing TB specific Neutraceutical for controlling Tuberculosis , the first of its kind in the country, which has been officially approved by regulatory bodies. This innovation is a milestone and caters to the Government’s TB Free Mission- 2025.
Explaining about his innovation, Prof. Prakash , said, “ATLS-PA 2021, comprising of two molecules L-serine and Palmitoyl Co-A administered at two different time points, is an innovative anti-tubercular adjunct therapy designed to enhance the effectiveness of existing anti tubercular drugs, especially for drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB).” He highlighted that ATLS-PA 2021 is a sphingolipid mimetic that directly kills mycobacteria, generate Nitric Oxide and tweak Hypoxia like response which are important for effective killing of mycobacteria and their subsequent clearance from lungs. Most Interestingly, ATLS/PA2021 sensitizes MDR TB for conventional anti-TB drugs.”
He emphasized, “ATLS-PA 2021 has been patented and showcased as a promising host-directed therapy at TB innovation summits. The project aims to test its capacity to improve sputum conversion rates and shorten cure rates in TB patients in Phase I / II trials which his team is undertaking now. With a strong scientific foundation and dire need for better treatments for MDR-TB, ATLS-PA 2021 represents a safe, effective, and novel adjunct therapy, paving the way for better TB control and management not only in India and globally also. This breakthrough in TB treatment has the potential to revolutionize the fight against tuberculosis, offering new hope for patients not only in the country but globally as well. The team is expecting clearance from CDSCO soon for multicentric clinical trial / studies with TB patient cohort and setting up start up for ToT.”