Hamdard Labs to start clinical trial of two immunity boosting drugs for COVID-19

New Delhi, Sep 7 (UNI) Hamdard Laboratories, a progressive research-based health and wellness organisation, on Monday announced that it is going to start clinical trial of its two immunity boosting medicines, to assess their effectiveness in preventing the COVID-19 infection.

The organisation said it has received all the regulatory approvals to begin the proof of concept clinical trial for its Infuza and Kulzam drugs to prevent COVID-19 infection.

A research team from Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (HIMSR) is going to start the clinical trial at HAH Centenary Hospital, New Delhi, to evaluate the efficacy of these drugs for the prevention of COVID-19 infection in high-risk subjects.

The research group is working on a randomised, parallel-group clinical trial for the re-purposing of two popular Hamdard Medicines — Infuza and Kulzum for the prevention of COVID-19 infection at HAHC hospital, which conducts more than 100 COVID-19 tests per day.

The testing process is certified by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Free antigen testing is also supported by Delhi Government at HAH Centenary Hospital. The Department is also equipped for COVID-19 serology testing.

Asad Mueed, Executive Trustee, Hamdard Laboratories India (Medicine Division) said ‘COVID-19 is arguably the biggest health crisis the world has faced in the 21st century. Hamdard Laboratories India (Medicine division) is working on the best of their capacity to face this pandemic.’

‘A research group of Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (HIMSR) that comprises an Allopathic doctor, Unani Hakim, Microbiologist and Biochemist is working on a randomized, parallel-group clinical trial for the repurposing of two popular Hamdard Medicines ie Infuza and Kulzum for the prevention of COVID-19 infection.’

Infuza has been used in the prevention and treatment of common cold and epidemic flu and popularly used for decades. Unani preparations that have immunomodulatory effects may be very helpful to combat infectious diseases.

Kulzum is one such preparation with chemical constituents like eucalyptol, menthol, thymol, eugenol, and l-limonene and these have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and most importantly immunomodulatory activities.

‘We have completed the manufacturing of Infuza and Kulzum drugs as per GMP regulations and their quality is validated by using advanced techniques like HPTLC, and GC-MS,’ said Santosh Joshi, Head, Research & Development, Hamdard Laboratories (Medicine Division).

‘Over the next week, we are going to start the clinical trial at HAH Centenary Hospital, New Delhi to evaluate the efficacy of these drugs for the prevention of COVID-19 infection in high-risk subjects,’ said Dr G N Qazi, Chief Executive Officer, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research and associated HAH Centenary Hospital.

The study concept is approved by ‘Special Project Approval Committee,’ Ministry of AYUSH and it is also cleared by the Institutional Ethics Committee, added Dr Qazi.

The clinical trials are an important part of India’s battle in fighting the novel coronavirus. In such unprecedented times, having a strong immune system is the ideal preventive measure, while individuals practice social distancing.

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