New breakthrough drugs target deadly superbugs
Antibiotics, once hailed as lifesaving medical marvels, are increasingly losing ground against evolving bacteria that outsmart these drugs. Known as "superbugs," these antibiotic-resistant pathogens claimed 1.14 million lives globally in 2021, according to The Lancet. India, heavily impacted by antimicrobial resistance, witnesses nearly 300,000 deaths annually due to such infections, with 60,000 newborns lost each year.
Despite this grim backdrop, new hope is emerging from India’s pharmaceutical sector, where groundbreaking locally-developed antibiotics show promise in combating resistant pathogens and preserving last-resort treatments.
Game-changing innovations
Enmetazobactam, developed by Chennai-based Orchid Pharma, is India’s first FDA-approved antimicrobial drug. This injectable treatment tackles severe conditions like pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and bloodstream infections by neutralizing bacteria’s defensive enzymes, such as beta-lactamase. By disarming these enzymes, the drug ensures antibiotics remain effective, especially critical options like carbapenems. Clinical trials across 19 countries have demonstrated its potency, making it a crucial weapon for critically ill patients.
Mumbai-based Wockhardt is advancing two potential superbug treatments:
Zaynich, a new antibiotic in Phase-3 trials, has shown remarkable results in compassionate-use cases where it saved 30 critically ill patients unresponsive to other drugs. Expected to launch next year, it promises to be a "groundbreaking" solution, according to Dr. Habib Khorakiwala, Wockhardt’s founder.
Nafithromycin (MIQNAF), a three-day oral treatment for community-acquired pneumonia, boasts a 97% success rate. With resistance to existing treatments as high as 60%, this drug could be a game-changer when released commercially next year.
Another notable effort is by Bengaluru-based Bugworks Research, which is developing a new class of antibiotics in collaboration with the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP). Although still in early trials, the drug targets severe drug-resistant infections and could hit the market in five to eight years.
Alarming trends in resistance
The urgency of these developments is underscored by findings from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). A 2023 survey of 100,000 bacterial cultures revealed alarming trends:
E. coli, linked to foodborne illnesses, shows declining antibiotic effectiveness.
Klebsiella pneumoniae, a pathogen causing pneumonia and meningitis, is exhibiting rising resistance.
Acinetobacter baumannii, a multidrug-resistant bug targeting critical care patients, poses growing challenges.
Worryingly, resistance to carbapenems—considered last-resort antibiotics—has surged, with some treatments proving less than 15% effective against these pathogens.
Addressing misuse and overprescription
Experts emphasize that new drugs alone won't solve the crisis. India must reform its antibiotic prescription practices, which often favor broad-spectrum antibiotics that kill beneficial bacteria and promote resistance. Narrow-spectrum antibiotics should be prioritized, but the lack of antibiograms in hospitals forces doctors to prescribe blindly.
"Without proper mechanisms to ensure responsible use, even these groundbreaking drugs risk being misused," warns Dr. Kamini Walia of ICMR.
Holistic solutions
A multi-pronged approach is crucial to combating antimicrobial resistance. This includes:
Improved sanitation, hygiene, and vaccine coverage.
Stronger hospital infection controls.
Physician education and public awareness about the dangers of self-medication.
"Antimicrobial resistance is not just a healthcare issue; it’s a systemic challenge tied to equity and accountability," says Dr. Walia.
A call for urgent action
While India’s pharmaceutical breakthroughs offer hope, the battle against superbugs demands systemic reforms and global cooperation. Without swift action, even minor infections risk becoming untreatable, threatening a future where modern medicine’s most essential tools are rendered powerless.
