Jammu Kashmir man discovers anti-TB drug

Jammu: Living miles away from the Kashmir Valley, Anil Koul has made his home state proud by his involvement in the discovery and clinical development of a drug to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis, which affects millions of people across the globe.

“It is proud moment for me to be part of a team that led to discovery and development of the new drug - Sirturo - for treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis, which still kills millions of people each year across the world,” said Dr Koul, who has bagged two awards – ‘Johnson Medal’ and ‘Swiss-TB prize’.

“It is a big milestone for the public healthcare system in several countries and for all the patients suffering from this dreaded disease,” he added.

Sirturo, also known as bedaquiline, is a diarylquinoline anti-tuberculosis drug. It is the first medication for pulmonary multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.