Drug discovery ‘Hackathon’ launched for COVID-19
By MYBRANDBOOK
To fight against global pandemic, a large number of parallel efforts are being taken in India including, new tests for diagnosing COVID-19 and detecting antibodies, as well as a drug ‘Hackathon’ focused on discovering a potential drug to treat coronavirus.
Dr. Vinod Paul, Member NITI Aayog and Prof. K. Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, summarised activities on COVID-19 related to Science and Technology in the areas of vaccines, drug discovery, diagnostics and testing.
Indian academia and start-ups are working on vaccine candidates in the very strong Indian vaccine industry. On drug discovery, scientific efforts take three approaches. The first is the repurposing of extant drugs to see how effective they are against the virus and in mitigating the consequences of the disease. Second, Phyto-pharmaceuticals and extracts from medicinal plants are being tested.
Finally, using a variety of approaches, new drug discovery including a ‘Hackathon’ for computational drug discovery is being undertaken.
The Hackathon, embarked by AICTE and CSIR, will take place on two themes — drug design for anti-Covid-19, lead molecule generation or repurposing, and designing of new tools and algorithms.
These ideas, presented by both national and international participants, will be possibly adopted by the CSIR labs and other organisations to develop AI solutions for COVID-19.
A conglomeration of research efforts have resulted in new tests and testing kits. These include new tests for detection of the virus and also for antibody detection. The latter are being used for serological studies.
The speed of these developments is made possible by the collaborative efforts of scientists, institutions and science agencies. The regulatory system has also been closely engaged, combining speed with quality.
Adani Ports to acquire 95% of the Gopalpur Port in Odisha
For ₹13.49 billion, Adani Ports would purchase a 95% ownership in Gopal...
Zoom introduces Workplace to provide AI support during meeting
Zoom Video Communications has announced Zoom Workplace, its AI-powered, op...
22 startups valued above ₹10,000 cr are being run by former
According to Private Circle, around 22 firms founded by former Paytm employ...
Tech Mahindra and IBM to accelerate digital adoption in APAC
Tech Mahindra has announced the opening of a Synergy Lounge, in collabora...
LAVA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
WIPRO LTD.
MICROTEK INTERNATIONAL PVT. LTD.
INFOSYS TECHNOLOGIES PVT. LTD.
Technology Icons Of India 2023: Sunil Bharti Mittal
Sunil Bharti Mittal is the Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises,...
Technology Icons Of India 2023: Girish Mathrubootham
Girsh Mathrubootham envisioned and co-founded Freshworks. Freshworks, ...
Technology Icons Of India 2023: Dilip Asbe
Dilip Asbe is the MD & CEO of National Payments Corporation of India (...
BEL leveraging next generation technologies to keep the country ahead in Defence space
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is a Navratna PSU under the Ministry ...
STPI encouraging software exports from India
Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is an S&T organization under...
PGCIL transforming India with its wide power transmission network
Engaged in power transmission, POWERGRID or PGCIL is a stated owned In...
INTEGRA MICRO SYSTEMS PVT. LTD.
Integra is a leading provider of innovative hi-technology products an...
SUPERTRON ELECTRONICS PVT. LTD.
Supertron deals in servers, laptops, components, accessories and is a...
EXCLUSIVE NETWORKS SALES INDIA PVT. LTD.
Exclusive Networks is a globally trusted cybersecurity specialist hel...