India First Indigenous Antibiotic Nafithromycin

Recently, India launched its first indigenously developed antibiotic “Nafithromycin”, aimed at tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
The antibiotic was developed with the support of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a unit of the Department of Biotechnology.
It 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, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and immune-compromised individuals, including those with diabetes and cancer.
Nafithromycin is a game-changer in tackling Drug-Resistant Pneumonia, responsible for over 2 million deaths globally each year.
India, whichbears 23% of the world’s community pneumonia burden, faces challenges with drug resistance to drugs like azithromycin.

Benefits of Nafithromycin –
- 10 times more effective than current treatments (azithromycin).
- Proven to be effective with only 3-day treatment regimen.
- Targets both typical and atypical pathogens.
- Minimal gastrointestinal side effects, no significant drug interactions, and remains unaffected by food, making it a versatile option for patients.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
- AMR poses a growing threat to the effective prevention and treatment of a wide range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi.
- AMR occurs when these microorganisms evolve over time and no longer respond to medications, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of transmission, severe illness, and death. As a result, treatments become ineffective, and infections persist in the body, raising the risk of spreading to others.
- Antimicrobials (antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics) are used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals, and plants.
- Microorganisms that develop resistance to these drugs are often referred to as “superbugs.”