(THE GIST OF PIB) Nafithromycin

(OCTO BER-2025)

Recently, the Union Science and Technology Minister informed that India has developed its first indigenously discovered antibiotic, Nafithromycin.

It is an antibiotic which has been developed with the support of “Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council” (BIRAC).
It has been brought to market under the trade name “Miqnaf”.
It is the first molecule entirely conceptualized, developed and clinically validated in India.
It is the country’s first indigenously developed antibiotic aimed at tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
It is effective against resistant respiratory infections, particularly useful for cancer patients and poorly controlled diabetics.
This innovation is designed to treat Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP).
Nafithromycin’s efficacy stands out as it targets both typical and atypical pathogens, offering a potent solution where no new antibiotic in this class has been developed worldwide for over three decades.

It occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines.
As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat.
It increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death.
AMR is a natural process driven by genetic changes in pathogens over time, its spread is significantly accelerated by human activities.