Wockhardt to launch Zaynich by FY25-end

Drug effective against major superbugs that are now resistant to almost all antibiotics

- SOHINI DAS

In what could be a major breakthrough for antibiotic research, Mumbai-based Wockhardt is all set to launch its novel antibiotic candidate WCK 5222, or Zaynich, in India by the end of 2024-25, followed by a global launch in 2025-26. The total addressable market for the antibiotic is estimated to be around $25 billion globally.

Wockhardt expects no competition for this drug worldwide for at least the next 15 years as there is no other similar drug in research pipelines. In India, around 750,000 patients are suffering from antimicrobial resistance (AMR), while in the US this number is around 500,000 and in the EU it is about 700,000. According to Wockhardt Chairman Habil Khorakiwala, the price of the antibiotic in India would be one-tenth of its global price.

Zaynich a combination of Zidebactam and Cefepime is effective in treating infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens. Basically, the drug is effective against all major superbugs that have become resistant to almost all antibiotics used today - often referred to as multi-drug resistant (MDR), or extensively drug resistant (XDR) pathogens.

Globally, mortality rate in patients infected with MDR superbugs is in excess of 30 per cent.