Hamdard Laboratories (Medicine Division) announced that 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.

Asad Mueed, Executive Trustee, Hamdard Laboratories India (Medicine Division) said “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 randomised, parallel-group clinical trial for the repurposing of two popular Hamdard Medicines i.e. 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”

The Department of Microbiology at HIMSR & HAHC Hospital have a Biosafety Levels -2 (BSL-2) laboratory dedicated to RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 by CBNAAT technique. The testing process is certified by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and 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,” informs a company release.

“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. The study concept is approved by ‘Special Project Approval Committee’, Ministry of AYUSH and it is also cleared by Institutional Ethics Committee. The trial is registered in Clinical Trial Registry of India, Indian Council of Medical Research and the registration number is CTRI/2020/08/027222”, said Dr  GN Qazi, CEO, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research and associated HAH Centenary Hospital.