Wockhardt and Jemincare partner for novel respiratory antibiotic Nafithromycin

Wockhardt Bio AG and Jemincare have partnered for Wockhardt’s novel patented antibiotic WCK 4873 (INN: Nafithromycin) in People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections, Wockhardt said in a statement.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Jemincare will be responsible for exclusive development and commercialisation of the Nafithromycin in the selected markets. A joint steering committee is formed to oversee development and regulatory activities. Wockhardt will receive an upfront payment and will be eligible for regulatory-linked milestone payments. Further, Wockhardt would supply the product to Jemincare and will receive royalties on net sales. Wockhardt would transfer the manufacturing technology to Jemincare at a mutually agreed time, it added.

Speaking in this regard, Dr Habil Khorakiwala, Founder Chairman, Wockhardt Group, said, “Wockhardt has been at the forefront in the fight against anti-microbial resistance (AMR) which has been identified as one of the top threats by WHO. Our novel drug discovery programme of around 20 years has yielded a rich pipeline of products which are at different stages of commercialisation. This arrangement upholds our commitment in the fight against AMR.”

Wockhardt will continue to develop Nafithromycin for other markets including India where phase-III clinical study is ongoing, the statement further said.

“We are happy to partner with a company of repute like Jemincare in China, which is also one of the biggest markets. We are confident that Jemincare, with its excellent standing in the China market, will do full justice to the potential of the product,” noted Dr Murtaza Khorakiwala, Managing Director, Wockhardt.

In addition to it, Dr Mahesh Patel, Chief Scientific Officer, Wockhardt, also said, “Bacterial pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections trigger the highest volume of antibiotic prescriptions world over. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance poses a therapeutic challenge to physicians with extremely limited safer and effective therapeutic options, particularly for the most vulnerable groups such as paediatric and older age group patients. Nafithromycin has been designed to overcome resistance in several respiratory pathogens. It would provide a compliance-friendly once-a-day, three-day therapy option, most appropriate for community origin respiratory infections.”