Dr Harsh Vardhan launches CuRED, CSIR website on COVID-19 clinical trials

It provides information about the drugs, diagnostics and devices including the current stage of the trials, partnering institutions and their role in the trials and other details

Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Science & Technology, Health and Family Welfare and Earth Sciences, launched a website that gives comprehensive information about the numerous COVID-19 clinical trials that CSIR is engaged in partnership with industry, other government departments and ministries.

Called CuRED or CSIR Ushered Repurposed Drugs, the website provides information about the drugs, diagnostics and devices including the current stage of the trials, partnering institutions and their role in the trials and other details. The site can be accessed at https://www.iiim.res.in/cured/ or http://db.iiim.res.in/ct/index.php.

The Minister lauded the efforts of CSIR for being at the forefront of the ongoing fight against COVID-19 and prioritising clinical trials, generating data for their regulatory approval and helping launch drugs and diagnostics in the market. He commended the approach of using repurposed drugs and also, synthesising COVID-19 drugs through new processes and transferring to Industry.

CSIR is exploring multiple combination clinical trials of anti-virals with host-directed therapies for the potential treatment of COVID-19. CSIR is also working with the Ministry of AYUSH for clinical trials of AYUSH drugs and has undertaken safety and efficacy trials of AYUSH prophylactics and therapeutics based on individual plant-based compounds and in combination. Five clinical trials involving WithaniasomniferaTinosporacordifolia + Piper longum(in combination), GlycyrrhizaglabraTinosporacordifolia & Adhatodavasica (individually and in combination) and AYUSH-64 formulation are undergoing safety and efficacy trials.

A key clinical trial of CSIR is the Sepsivac (Mw) against COVID -19 in partnership with Cadila. The phase 2 clinical trial has been completed successfully on critically ill COVID-19 patients, and more extensive Phase 3 trial is on the anvil. Further, the Phase 2 trial of phytopharmaceutical AQCH on COVID-19 patients with Sun Pharma and DBT is underway.

In addition to clinical trials of repurposed drugs and vaccines, CSIR has been involved in clinical trials of diagnostics and devices.

Dr Shekhar C Mande, Secretary, DSIR and DG-CSIR, Dr Ranjana Aggarwal, Dir, NISTADS and Dr Geetha Vani Rayasam, Senior Principal Scientist & Head, Science Communication and Dissemination Directorate CSIR HQ, were present on the occasion. CSIR Directors, Heads of Departments, and Scientists involved in clinical trials joined the event virtually.

anti-viralsClinical TrialsCOVID-19CSIRCSIR Ushered Repurposed DrugsCuREDDr Harsh Vardhan
Comments (20)
Add Comment
  • Darshan Singh

    They have nothing to do just making people fool

  • emilygrace

    Really great thoughtful Information thank you!

  • Carina Rogers

    Thanks for sharing those and keep up the amazing work!

  • Jane Fraser

    Excellent starter guide for Beginners! Thanks for putting your effort in putting out this great post.

  • Naraabi

    Amazing information

  • Nandi

    very informative

  • Kurt Angle

    Vardhan lauded the efforts of CSIR for being at the forefront of the ongoing fight against COVID-19 and prioritising clinical trials, generating data for their regulatory approval and helping the launch of drugs and diagnostics in the market.

  • Abram Abram

    I didn’t have any expectations concerning that title, but the more I was astonished. The author did a great job. I spent a few minutes reading and checking the facts. Everything is very clear and understandable. I like posts that fill in your knowledge gaps. This one is of the sort.

  • Sri

    keep going in posting new article, very informative!

  • Ben Cutting

    Great Post! Keep it up the great work.