STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: In a groundbreaking step for India’s biotechnology sector, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the first indigenous antibiotic, Nafithromycin, designed to combat drug-resistant infections, particularly antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The antibiotic, developed with support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and brought to market by pharmaceutical company Wockhardt under the trade name Miqnaf, targets Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP), a severe illness caused by drug-resistant bacteria, affecting vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and immuno compromised individuals.
Dr. Jitendra Singh praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for providing researchers the support they needed to explore their potential in biotechnology. He described Nafithromycin as a “game-changer” in addressing drug-resistant pneumonia, which causes over two million deaths globally annually. India, bearing 23% of the global pneumonia burden, faces growing resistance to existing antibiotics like azithromycin. Nafithromycin, however, is ten times more effective than these current options, offering a faster, safer, and more tolerable treatment regimen of just three days, with minimal gastrointestinal side effects.
The development of Nafithromycin marks the first new antibiotic in its class in over three decades, representing a historic breakthrough in the fight against AMR. The drug’s ability to target both typical and atypical pathogens positions it as a potent solution to combat multi-drug-resistant infections. Supported by BIRAC’s Biotechnology Industry Partnership Program (BIPP), the project has involved 14 years of research and Rs 500 crores in investment, with clinical trials conducted in the US, Europe, and India.
The Minister emphasized the urgent need to tackle AMR, a growing global health crisis, and hailed the collaboration between the public and private sectors as essential for innovation. He called for continued efforts in research, diagnostics, and surveillance to ensure India remains a leader in biotechnology. The Nafithromycin launch is a testament to India’s commitment to fighting AMR and advancing global health solutions.
The event was attended by prominent leaders in the scientific community, including Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, DBT and Chairman, BIRAC; Dr. Habil Khorakiwala, Chairman, Wockhardt; Dr. Jitendra Kumar, MD, BIRAC and Dr.Y.K.Gupta, President, AIIMS, Jammu.