Sepsivac®: an immunomodulator to enhance innate immunity

  • IASbaba
  • April 24, 2020
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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. 

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