India Develops First Indigenous Antibiotic Nafithromycin to Target Drug-Resistant Respiratory Infections
India has developed its first indigenous antibiotic, Nafithromycin, through a collaboration between the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Wockhardt. The drug is effective against drug-resistant respiratory infections and is especially beneficial for cancer patients and individuals with poorly controlled diabetes.
Nafithromycin is the first antibiotic molecule to be completely conceptualised, developed, and clinically tested in India, marking a major step toward self-reliance in the Indian pharmaceutical industry.
Strengthening India’s Biopharma and R&D Ecosystem
India has made a landmark advancement in gene therapy, completing its first indigenous clinical trial for the treatment of haemophilia. Haemophilia is a genetic disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly, leading to excessive bleeding even from minor injuries. Gene therapy works by correcting the faulty gene responsible for the disease.
The country has already sequenced over 10,000 human genomes and plans to expand this to one million. The trial demonstrated a 60-70% correction rate with no reported bleeding incidents, underscoring India’s growing strength in cutting-edge medical research and biotechnology.
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) marks a major push for R&D in India, with an INR 50,000 crore outlay over 5 years - INR 36,000 crore coming from private and non-government sources. The initiative promotes stronger collaboration between industry and academia.
Creating a Healthy Future
Achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 will require stronger collaboration among government bodies, private hospitals, and research institutions. For instance, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital has combined AI, biotechnology, and genomics to enhance healthcare outcomes, showcasing the power of such partnerships.
India’s rise as a global science and innovation leader depends on building a self-sustaining, innovation-driven ecosystem with strong private sector participation. The combined force of innovation, collaboration, and compassion will shape the nation’s path toward becoming a developed, knowledge-driven economy.
DhruvStar Industry Insights: What it Means for the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry
India’s pharmaceutical market, valued at over USD 60 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 130 billion by 2030, is now ready for a strategic leap [2]. With the development of Nafithromycin, India’s pharmaceutical sector gains a critical scientific milestone that opens doors for higher-value R&D, novel molecule discovery, and premium therapies beyond generics.
This breakthrough offers 3 tangible benefits to the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry:
- Research & Innovation: Indigenous molecule development strengthens India’s pharma innovation ecosystem and reduces reliance on imported APIs and patents.
- Market & Export Opportunities: A domestically validated antibiotic enhances marketing potential in India and regulated international markets, boosting value-added exports and rising global market share.
- Profit & Investment Platform: With greater innovation and government support, private pharmaceutical companies can invest more in local production and scale specialised therapies, thereby supporting the Make in India drive.
Sources
[1] PIB
[2] IBEF (India Brand Equity Foundation)
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