In a significant stride against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), India has developed its first indigenous antibiotic, Nafithromycin, designed to counter drug-resistant bacteria. The antibiotic has been developed with the support of “Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council” (BIRAC), a unit of the Department of Biotechnology and has been brought to market under the trade name “Miqnaf” by pharma company “Wolkardt”.
Nafithromycin is designed to treat Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP), a severe illness caused by drug-resistant bacteria, which disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly as well as immune compromised hosts like Patients with Diabetes, Cancers etc.
Every year, drug-resistant pneumonia causes over two million deaths worldwide. India, accounting for 23% of the world’s community pneumonia burden, faces challenges with existing treatments, including widespread resistance to drugs like azithromycin
For years, azithromycin has been the first-line treatment for pneumonia since it targets the microbes responsible for the development of the disease. However, with increasing resistance to azithromycin, the drug failed to work on my patients. The new antibiotic Nafithromycin is ten times more effective than current options and offers a safer, faster, and more tolerable solution for patients.
Key Features of Nafithromycin
Since no new antibiotic in this class has been created globally in more than 30 years, Nafithromycin’s effectiveness is noteworthy since it targets both common and uncommon bacteria, providing a powerful remedy.
- A groundbreaking antibiotic, developed after more than three decades in this class.
- It is a novel semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic designed to combat multiple drug-resistant bacteria effectively.
- It effectively addresses both typical and atypical pathogens.
- It is ten times more effective than azithromycin and achieves comparable outcomes with just a three-day regimen, as proven in clinical trials.
- The antibiotic has minimal gastrointestinal side effects and no significant drug interactions.
- Its efficacy remains unaffected by food, ensuring ease of administration for patients.
- It is designed to provide a versatile and patient-friendly antibiotic option.
A Decade of Innovation
The development of Nafithromycin represents 14 years of research and an investment of ₹500 crores, with clinical trials conducted in the U.S., Europe, and India.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that the drug is now awaiting final approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for manufacturing and public use. Once approved, it is expected to be a game-changer in India’s fight against AMR.
This landmark innovation underscores India’s growing capacity for advanced pharmaceutical research and its determination to lead in global health solutions.
