India indigenously develops new antibiotic for drug-resistant pneumonia

India indigenously develops new antibiotic for drug-resistant pneumonia

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

A new antibiotic for drug-resistant pneumonia:

• Company: Wockhardt Ltd, a Maharashtra-based pharmaceutical firm.
• Drug Name: Nafithromycin (Trade Name: Miqnaf).
• Purpose: First indigenously developed antibiotic for treating Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP) in adults, particularly drug-resistant cases.

• Development Journey:
  • 14 years of research and development.
  • ₹500 crore investment.
  • Clinical trials were conducted in the US, Europe, and India.
• Support:
  • Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) contributed ₹8 crore for Phase 3 clinical trials and provided technical assistance.

Significance of Nafithromycin:

• This marks a significant step forward in India’s capability to develop life-saving drugs.
• Reinforces the country’s commitment to battling AMR and improving global health outcomes.
• Potency and Safety:
  • 10 times more potent than azithromycin.
  • 8 times higher lung exposure.
  • Clinical cure rate: 96.7%.
  • Superior safety and tolerability.
• Convenience: Administered orally, once daily for three days.
• Global Need:
  • Pneumonia Impact: Responsible for over 2 million global deaths annually, with India bearing 23% of the global burden.
  • Drug Resistance: Widespread resistance to current treatments like azithromycin.

Challenges and the Path Forward:

• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):
  • Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites becoming unresponsive to antimicrobial medicines.
  • A major global health threat.
• Pharmaceutical Industry Trends:
  • Large companies withdrawing from antibiotic R&D.
  • Smaller firms like Wockhardt filling the gap.
• BIRAC-CSE Initiative: Collaborative discussions with small-scale antibiotic developers to address challenges and identify solutions.

What is Pneumonia?

• Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs (alveoli) in one or both lungs.
• Causes:
  • Bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae).
  • Viruses (e.g., Influenza, RSV, SARS-CoV-2).
  • Fungi (e.g., Pneumocystis jirovecii, in immunocomp

How it Affects the Lungs

• The alveoli fill with fluid or pus, causing difficulty in oxygen exchange, leading to:
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Reduced oxygen supply to the bloodstream.

Symptoms

• Cough (may produce phlegm).
• Fever, chills, or sweating.
• Shortness of breath.
• Chest pain during breathing or coughing.
• Fatigue, weakness.
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Types of Pneumonia

1. Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP): Acquired outside hospitals.
2. Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP): Contracted during hospital stays, often more drug-resistant.
3. Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP): Infections in people on mechanical ventilation.
4. Aspiration Pneumonia: Caused by inhalation of food, liquids, or vomit.

Risk Factors

• Age:
  • Infants and young children.
  • Adults over 65 years.
• Chronic conditions: Diabetes, asthma, COPD, heart disease.
• Weakened immune system: HIV/AIDS, cancer, organ transplant.
• Lifestyle factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption.

Diagnosis

• Clinical Examination: Listening to lungs with a stethoscope.
• Tests:
  • Chest X-ray.
  • Blood tests to identify infection.
  • Sputum analysis to determine the causative organism.

Treatment

• Bacterial Pneumonia: Antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin, ceftriaxone).
• Viral Pneumonia: Antiviral medications for specific viruses; supportive care.
• Fungal Pneumonia: Antifungal drugs (e.g., fluconazole).
• Supportive Care:
  • Oxygen therapy for severe cases.
  • Fever and pain management.

Prevention

• Pneumococcal vaccine (for bacterial pneumonia).
• Influenza vaccine (to prevent viral complications).