Drugmaker Wockhardt gave a satisfactory update on Friday regarding the status of research and trials for its antibiotic Zaynich. Habil Khorakiwala, founder and chairman of the firm, said during a press briefing that the drug has a substantial market potential of USD 25 billion. The company is situated in Mumbai and plans to introduce the drug early in fiscal year 2026 (FY26).
With more than $500 million committed in research and development, Wockhardt has produced six successful innovations, including Zaynich, each in varying levels of development and commercialization. The American Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute has given Zaynich a susceptibility breakpoint of 64 mg per liter for about twelve gram-negative bacteria with high resistance rates. This shows that the microorganisms, which are frequently resistant to previous treatments, may be effectively treated with the antibiotic at this dose.Further elaborating, Khorakiwala stated that the company anticipates commercial launch shortly after receiving final permissions from Indian regulators by the end of FY25. The clearance timelines for mature markets are anticipated to be comparable, albeit possibly with a delay. Wockhardt intends to sell the antibiotic in India for roughly a tenth of what it is being sold for in developed nations. Patients with pneumonia, who are frequently afflicted by bacterial infections resistant to drugs, will be the main target population.
Wockhardt is looking for partners in developed markets to assist in setting up networks for Zaynich distribution. Leveraging partnerships to guarantee efficient market penetration and distribution is a key component of the company’s commercial strategy.
Antibiotic resistance, which can reach as high as 60% in India and 35% worldwide, is a serious global health concern. Effective novel medicines like Zaynich have a significant market opportunity due to this widespread resistance. The antibiotic is a potential treatment for resistant bacterial infections because clinical trials have shown encouraging outcomes in terms of both efficacy and safety.
Zaynich’s development and other research and development endeavors have been aggressively funded by Wockhardt. The company recently raised Rs 480 crore through equity funding, of which USD 25 million was set aside for Zaynich’s R&D. In addition, the company’s debt was decreased with the help of Rs 100 crore from the capital increase.
Wockhardt still has a sizable external debt of about Rs 900 crore, of which Rs 500 crore is set aside for working capital needs, in spite of its research expenditures. Khorakiwala did, however, reassure that the business has enough of cash on hand. In addition, the Khorakiwala family is confident in the company’s future prospects as seen by their refusal to demand prompt payback of the Rs 1,000 crore in further loans they have given to it.
SOURCE:
MEDICAL DIALOGUES
