ALZUMAb, Biocon’s brand of Itolizumab is a joint research product with Cuba. It was officially launched in India in 2013 for Psoriasis, an autoimmune skin disorder with white scales. Being a monoclonal antibody, Itolizumab down regulates the pro-inflammatory cytokines. With this knowledge the Cubans used it on severe Covid patients and got promising outcomes. Biocon is now conducting trials in six hospitals in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. One more promising contender to fight the ‘Cytokine storm’. We hope this ‘Repurposing’ is purposeful.
BhaskarChakravorti 