Govt launches India’s first indigenous antibiotic, Nafithromycin

The new antibiotic will offer 10x Efficacy with just three doses to combat drug-resistant pneumonia

In a ground-breaking step for India’s biotechnology sector, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh formally launched the first indigenous antibiotic 'Nafithromycin' for resistant infections.

The antibiotic Nafithromycin 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. It is the country's first indigenously developed antibiotic to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

This innovation 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.

Dr Singh described the three-day treatment regimen of Nafithromycin as a game-changer in addressing drug-resistant pneumonia, a condition responsible for over two million deaths globally each year. The new antibiotic, developed by Wockhardt with support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), is ten times more effective than current options and offers a safer, faster, and more tolerable solution for patients.

The development of Nafithromycin represents 14 years of dedicated research and an investment of ₹500 crores, with clinical trials spanning the US, Europe, and India. Supported by BIRAC under its Biotechnology Industry Partnership Program (BIPP), the initiative showcases the power of public-private collaboration in advancing healthcare innovation.

Dr Singh highlighted that the drug is now awaiting final approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for manufacturing and public use, marking a major leap forward in India’s fight against AMR.

“The success of Nafithromycin is a testament to India’s growing capability to develop homegrown solutions for pressing healthcare challenges,” he stated.

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 YK Gupta, President, AIIMS, Jammu.  The launch of Nafithromycin signals India’s determination to combat AMR and contribute meaningfully to global health.

PIB