Indian Regulatory Committee Recommends DPCO Exemption for First Indigenous Antibiotic Nafithromycin
Key Insights
The Multidisciplinary Committee of Experts has recommended granting DPCO exemption to Wockhardt's nafithromycin tablets, India's first indigenous antibiotic, for five years from commercial marketing commencement.
Nafithromycin, marketed as "Miqnaf," is ten times more effective than azithromycin and offers a three-day treatment regimen for Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (search) caused by drug-resistant bacteria (search).
The antibiotic represents a historic milestone as the first new drug in its class introduced globally in over 30 years, developed with Rs 500 crore investment and BIRAC (search) funding support.
The Multidisciplinary Committee of Experts (MDC) has recommended that India's National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (search) grant exemption from drug price controls to nafithromycin tablets, the country's first indigenously developed antibiotic. The recommendation follows confirmation from patent and regulatory authorities that Wockhardt Ltd (search)'s formulation matches the scope of its granted patent.
Regulatory Approval Process
The MDC's recommendation came after extensive verification between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (search) (CDSCO) and the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM). The Committee had initially sought clarification because while CDSCO approval pertained specifically to nafithromycin immediate release film-coated tablets containing 400 mg of the active ingredient, the patent was granted on December 23, 2022 for "Pharmaceutical compositions."
In January, CGPDTM confirmed that the CDSCO-approved nafithromycin tablet formulation corresponds to the scope of the granted patent claims. During the MDC's 75th meeting held on February 11, 2026, the Committee noted that "the applied formulation nafithromycin tablets – Immediate release film-coated tablets – each film-coated tablet containing nafithromycin 400 mg is covered under patent granted."
Clinical Significance and Market Impact
Nafithromycin, marketed as "Miqnaf," targets Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (search) (CABP) caused by drug-resistant bacteria (search). According to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the antibiotic is "ten times more effective than current treatments like azithromycin and offers a three-day treatment regimen, significantly shortening the recovery time while improving patient outcomes."
The drug addresses a critical medical need by treating both typical and atypical drug-resistant bacteria (search), positioning it as a crucial tool in combating antimicrobial resistance (search) (AMR). The ministry emphasized that nafithromycin "boasts superior safety, minimal side effects, and no significant drug interactions."
Development and Investment
Wockhardt developed nafithromycin with support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC (search)) under the Department of Biotechnology. BIRAC provided Rs 8 crore funding under the Biotech Industry Program for Phase 3 clinical trials. The total development investment reached Rs 500 crores, according to government statements.
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers highlighted that "nafithromycin's development marks a historic milestone as the first new antibiotic in its class to be introduced globally in over 30 years." The drug underwent extensive clinical trials across the United States, Europe, and India before receiving final CDSCO approval.
Pricing Exemption Framework
Under Para 32(i) of the Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO) 2013, pricing norms do not apply to manufacturers producing new patented drugs for five years from commercial marketing commencement. Wockhardt submitted its exemption application on July 14, 2025, including CDSCO permission and Patent Certificate No. 415319 under the Patent Act, 1970.
The Committee's recommendation grants Wockhardt exemption for nafithromycin 400 mg tablets for five years from the date of commercial marketing commencement in India. This exemption allows the company to set pricing without the typical DPCO restrictions that limit annual price increases to 10% of the previous year's maximum retail price.
Nafithromycin was officially launched on November 20, 2024, particularly targeting vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients who are disproportionately affected by drug-resistant bacterial pneumonia (search).