India Unveils Breakthrough Antibiotic for Drug-Resistant Pneumonia
Mumbai, India – Dec. 2, 2024 – In a significant breakthrough in the fight against antibiotic resistance, India has developed its first indigenous antibiotic designed to combat multi-drug resistant pneumonia. Dubbed Nafithromycin, the newly formulated drug promises to provide a much-needed solution to a global pandemic silently threatening public health.
Developed by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a unit of the Department of Biotechnology, Nafithromycin has been clinically proven to effectively treat community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) – a condition responsible for over two million deaths globally every year.
"I am optimistic about Nafithromycin’s potential to save lives and improve patient care in the battle against antibiotic resistance," Dr. Sulaiman Ladhani, a pulmonologist at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai, told U.S.-based reporters. "Its targeted action against resistant pathogens brings much-needed relief, particularly in India, where respiratory infections are a major concern."
What sets Nafithromycin apart is its unique ability to target both typical and atypical bacteria, effectively overcoming resistance mechanisms that have rendered current antibiotics less effective. Clinical trials conducted globally – including in the United States and Europe – showed the drug to be ten times more potent than azithromycin, a commonly prescribed antibiotic that has faced increasing resistance.
Patient response to azithromycin has been declining, particularly in countries like India, which accounts for 23% of global community pneumonia cases. "With Nafithromycin’s introduction, experts believe, it could provide a "much-needed relief" against resistant pathogens," stated Dr Ladhani.
Nafithromycin’s remarkable efficacy is further enhanced by its convenient once-a-day, three-day treatment regimen. This ultra-short course contributes to better patient compliance and minimizes the risk of antibiotic misuse, a significant factor in the ongoing battle against antimicrobial resistance.
Developed over a 14-year period with an investment of Rs 500 crores, Nafithromycin is poised to be a game-changer in the fight against pneumonia. "In severe cases, infections caused by resistant bacteria lead to higher mortality rates," Dr. Tushar Tayal, a consultant in internal medicine at CK Birla Hospital in Gurugram, asserted. "Antibiotic resistance also jeopardizes medical procedures that rely on effective antibiotics, such as surgery and cancer treatments.”
The drug will soon be commercially available under the brand name Miqnaf, thanks to a partnership with Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company Wockhardt. Pending final approval from India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Nafithromycin is expected to be readily accessible and affordable, marking a significant development in the global fight against drug-resistant infections.
Dr. Mayank Saxena, an additional director of pulmonology at Fortis Hospital in Noida, India, expressed cautious optimism. "Although it’s a new antibiotic, clinicians will continue using traditional medicines, before the jump to Nafithromycin is made. Only when we don’t see any response in the patient – that is when we will have to prescribe Nafithromycin to test the efficacy."
The emergence of Nafithromycin underscores India’s commitment to tackling the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. It also highlights the country’s growing prominence in pharmaceutical innovation and its contribution to solutions for some of the world’s most pressing health concerns.
With its unique approach and remarkable efficacy, Nafithromycin has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of drug-resistant pneumonia, offering hope to millions worldwide.
