Wockhardt's Chairman Habib Khorakiwala announced on Friday that the company's novel antibiotic 'Zaynich' is expected to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approval next year. The announcement came during the 'Global Justice- Love and Peace Summit' in Dubai, where Khorakiwala spoke about the company's breakthrough in addressing the critical global challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
Zaynich, a combination of Zidebactam and Cefepime, has been specifically developed to combat multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative infections, which represent some of the most challenging pathogens in modern healthcare. The antibiotic has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in clinical trials, with reports indicating a 100 percent clinical cure rate among 30 critically ill patients treated for life-threatening, drug-resistant infections.
A Quarter Century of Antibiotic Research
"We started our research programme 25 years ago. And today we have six drugs for multi-drug resistance," Khorakiwala told ANI. The chairman emphasized the company's commitment to addressing the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance through sustained research efforts.
"We are the most successful research company, in the world, in antibiotic research today," Khorakiwala stated, highlighting Wockhardt's position at the forefront of developing novel solutions to combat resistant pathogens. The company's research pipeline represents a significant contribution to the antimicrobial armamentarium at a time when new antibiotic development has slowed globally.
Global Market Strategy and Patient Access
Khorakiwala outlined the company's plans for making Zaynich available internationally, stating, "Our contribution is not only making the drug affordable in India but saving many, many lives, and we will be marketing these products in the USA and Europe."
The anticipated USFDA approval would mark a significant milestone for the Indian pharmaceutical company and potentially provide a critical new treatment option for patients with limited therapeutic alternatives. The approval would also represent a notable achievement for India's pharmaceutical research capabilities on the global stage.
The Challenge of Drug-Resistant Infections
Multi-drug resistant Gram-negative infections represent one of the most serious threats to public health globally. These infections are particularly concerning in hospital settings, where they can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound infections, and meningitis. The World Health Organization has classified antimicrobial resistance as one of the top ten global public health threats facing humanity.
The development of Zaynich addresses a critical unmet need in the current treatment landscape. Existing antibiotics often prove ineffective against resistant strains, leading to increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs.
Potential Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Pharmaceutical Industry
During the same interview, Khorakiwala also addressed the potential impact of recently announced U.S. tariffs on pharmaceutical products. He cautioned that such measures could be counterproductive for American healthcare consumers.
"India supplies 40 percent of prescription drugs to the United States," Khorakiwala noted, emphasizing the significant role Indian pharmaceutical companies play in the U.S. healthcare system. He expressed concern that tariffs would ultimately increase costs for American patients, as the approval process for alternative suppliers would take several years.
Khorakiwala further explained that establishing pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in the U.S. would substantially increase production costs. "There are two aspects of costs. One is the manufacturing cost. It is about 3 to 4 times more. Second, more important in our industry is the research cost, and that is 10 to 20 times more," he explained.
Looking Forward to Regulatory Approval
As Wockhardt prepares for the anticipated USFDA approval of Zaynich in 2025, the company is positioning itself to address a critical global health need while navigating evolving international trade dynamics. The approval would represent not only a significant achievement for Wockhardt but also a valuable addition to the medical community's arsenal against drug-resistant infections.
The development of Zaynich exemplifies the crucial role of sustained pharmaceutical research in addressing emerging health challenges and the potential for innovative solutions to come from companies with long-term commitments to specific therapeutic areas.
