UPSC Articles
Sepsivac®: an immunomodulator to enhance innate immunity
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Science and Technology
In News:
- The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has decided to develop/repurpose an approved immunomodulator, Sepsivac®,
- It will enhance innate immunity of the body which will limit the spread of COVID-19 and fasten the recovery of the patients of COVID-19.
Key takeaways:
- Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved the new clinical trials for the immunomodulator.
- The trials will also be held for evaluating the efficacy of the drug for reducing mortality (deaths) in critically ill COVID-19 patients.
- The drug is being developed by CSIR through its flagship New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) program.
- Sepsivac® is expected–
- to protect the close contacts of COVID-19 patients and health care staff by boosting their innate response.
- to provide quicker recovery to the hospitalized COVID-19 patients, who are not critically ill.
- Sepsivac® contains heat-killed Mycobacterium W (Mw).
- No systemic side effects are associated with its use.
Important value additions:
Innate immunity
- Natural defense mechanism of the body is known as innate immunity.
- It plays a key role in the fight against viral infections like COVID-19.
- It is a fast, first and efficient immune response for identifying and eliminating viruses.
- Cells of human immune system like Macrophages, NK cells offer such protection.
Immunomodulators
- They are medications used to help regulate or normalize the immune system.
New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI)
- It is the largest public-private-partnership effort within the Research & Development field in the country.
- NMITLI seeks to act as a catalyst in innovation-centered scientific and technological developments and to help Indian industry achieve a global leadership position.
Drugs Controller General of India
- It is responsible for approval of licences of specified categories of drugs such as blood and blood products, IV fluids, vaccines, and sera in India.
- It comes under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
- DCGI sets standards for manufacturing, sales, import, and distribution of drugs in India.
