Nafithromycin, India's first indigenous antibiotic, launched for drug-resistant pneumonia
On 20 November 2024 in India, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched Nafithromycin, the country's first indigenous antibiotic, marketed by Wockhardt as 'Miqnaf'.
Summary
On 20 November 2024 in India, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh formally launched Nafithromycin, India's first indigenous antibiotic, developed with support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) under its Biotechnology Industry Partnership Program and marketed by Wockhardt as 'Miqnaf'. It treats Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP) with a three-day regimen and is ten times more effective than azithromycin. It is the first new antibiotic in its class developed globally in over 30 years, after 14 years of research and an investment of ₹500 crore. India bears 23% of the world's community pneumonia burden.
Key facts
- Date
- 20 Nov 2024
- Drug
- Nafithromycin; trade name 'Miqnaf' (Wockhardt)
- Support
- BIRAC, under BIPP (Department of Biotechnology)
- Use
- Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP)
- Regimen
- Three days
- Efficacy
- 10x azithromycin
- Milestone
- First new antibiotic in its class globally in 30+ years
- Effort
- 14 years, ₹500 crore
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Nafithromycin, launched on 20 November 2024 as India's first indigenous antibiotic, is meant to treat which disease?
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Correct answer: B — Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
PIB (DBT): Nafithromycin is designed to treat Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP) caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
Under which trade name is Nafithromycin marketed by Wockhardt?
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Correct answer: B — Miqnaf
PIB (DBT): Nafithromycin has been brought to market under the trade name 'Miqnaf'.
Consider the following statements about Nafithromycin: 1. It was developed with support from BIRAC under its Biotechnology Industry Partnership Program. 2. Its treatment regimen lasts fourteen days. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (DBT): it was supported by BIRAC under BIPP; the regimen is three days. The 14 figure refers to the years of research.