Biocon’s drug Itolizumab gets approval to treat Covid-19

Indian biopharmaceutical company Biocon has secured approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for its plaque psoriasis drug Itolizumab  (ALZUMAb) for emergency use in Covid-19 patients.

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Key-Points

The drug is an anti-CD6 IgG1 monoclonal antibody introduced in India in 2013 under the brand name ALZUMAb to treat chronic plaque psoriasis. Biocon repurposed the drug for the treatment of CRS associated with Covid-19.

Itolizumab’s acts via immunomodulation. It binds to the CD6 receptor and blocks the activation of T lymphocytes, in turn suppressing the pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreasing the cytokine storm and inflammatory response.

Monoclonal antibodies are proteins cloned in the lab to mimic antibodies produced by the immune system to counter an infection.

They have their genesis in serum, the colourless constituent of blood that contains antibodies. These proteins bind to an antigen, the fragment of an infectious virus in the case of SARS-CoV-2, and either destroy it or block its action.

About Itolizumab

Itolizumab (INN, trade name Alzumab) is a ‘first in class’ humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody developed by Biocon and the Center of Molecular Immunology (CIM), Havana.

Biocon received marketing authorization for the drug from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) in January 2013 and marketing within India commenced in August 2013.

Now in July 2020, Biocon received authorization in India for its use in the treatment of COVID-19.