India develops Antibiotic that provides eight times higher efficacy than azithromycin

India has developed a new antibiotic, nafithromycin, marketed as Miqnaf, to fight against growing antibiotic resistance. This drug is the first antibiotic of its kind created in India and aims to tackle community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP), a deadly infection.

Nafithromycin was developed by Wockhardt with support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). It has been tested in clinical trials in the United States, Europe, and India over 14 years, with a total investment of Rs 500 crore. The drug is currently awaiting final manufacturing approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

Health experts are hopeful about nafithromycin’s potential, especially given its reported high effectiveness against drug-resistant pneumonia. The drug is also significantly more potent than current antibiotics like azithromycin and requires a shorter three-day treatment. It is also expected to have fewer side effects and drug interactions.



In addition to providing technical assistance through expert committees, BIRAC awarded Wockhardt Rs 8 crore (part of the Rs 500 crore total cost) for phase 3 clinical studies of Nafithromycin.

In his presentation, Wockhardt founder and chairman, Dr. Habil Khorakiwala emphasized the importance of Miqnaf. It is an oral medication designed to treat respiratory infections in the general population. Over the past 30 years, no new antibiotic has been created in this field worldwide.



Compared to azithromycin, the medicine has eight times the lung exposure and is ten times as powerful. According to Khorakiwala, it must be taken once day for three days. In addition to its exceptional safety and tolerability, nafithromycin has a clinical cure rate of 96.7%.

In the battle against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), this accomplishment represents a critical turning point. AMR happens when antimicrobial medications no longer work on bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

The government plans to include nafithromycin in the Ayushman Bharat scheme to ensure accessibility. This development marks a significant step in India's fight against antimicrobial resistance and demonstrates the country's growing biotechnology capabilities.