Wockhardt and Jemincare partner for novel respiratory antibiotic Nafithromycin

Wockhardt to receive upfront and milestone payments, in addition to royalties

Wockhardt Bio AG – a subsidiary of Wockhardt Limited, (“Wockhardt”), a worldwide leader in discovery of novel antibiotics and Jiangxi Jemincare Group Company Limited, China (“Jemincare”), have partnered for Wockhardt’s novel patented antibiotic WCK 4873 (INN: Nafithromycin) in People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, S.A.R., China, Macau, S.A.R., China and Taiwan, China for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Jemincare will be responsible for exclusive development and commercialization of the Nafithromycin in the select 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 mutually agreed time.

Dr. Habil Khorakiwala, Founder Chairman of 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 program of around 20 years has yielded a rich pipeline of products which are at different stages of commercialization. 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 on-going.

“We are happy to partner with a company of repute like Jemincare in China, which is also one of the biggest market. 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.

Dr. Mahesh Patel, Chief Scientific Officer of Wockhardt added, “Bacterial pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections trigger the highest volume of antibiotic prescriptions world over. Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance poses a therapeutic challenge to physicians with extremely limited safer and effective therapeutic options, particularly for most vulnerable group such as pediatric 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.”

About WCK 4873 (Nafithromycin)

Nafithromycin is novel broad spectrum antibiotic belonging to the lactone/ketolide class for respiratory tract infections. Nafithromycin is active against entire range of bacterial pathogens associated with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia including macrolide resistance strains which is around 80% in China and several other Asian countries. Wockhardt has completed global clinical Phase I and II studies with Nafithromycin.

About Wockhardt

Wockhardt is a research based global Pharmaceutical and Biotech Company, headquartered in India. Wockhardt is employing over 5000 people and 27 nationalities with presence in USA, UK, Ireland, Switzerland, France, Mexico, Russia and many other countries. It has manufacturing and research facilities in India, USA & UK and a manufacturing facility in Ireland. Wockhardt has a significant presence in USA, Europe and India, with 82% of its global revenues coming from international businesses.

Wockhardt’s New Drug Discovery programme has focussed on unmet need of anti-bacterial drugs that are effective against the menace of untreatable superbugs. USFDA has granted QIDP Status (Qualified Infectious Disease Product) for six antibiotics discovered at Wockhardt, three of them are for Gram Negative and other three are for Gram Positive multi-drug resistant “Superbugs”. Wockhardt launched first ever India discovered two novel broad spectrum anti-MRSA antibiotics, EMROK (injection) and EMROK O (tablets) in 2020 which have been well received by doctors across India.

About Jiangxi Jemincare Group Company Limited

Jiangxi Jemincare Group Co., LTD (“Jemincare”) is a leading pharmaceutical group in China. It currently has more than 8,000 sales force focusing on the therapy areas of Oncology, Cardiovascular, Nephrology, Anti-infective, Respiratory, Gynaecology and Paediatrics etc. Jemincare currently has 10 manufacturing plants in China. Jemincare is also dedicated to research and development of innovative therapeutics through its R&D centre in Shanghai with around 500 scientists and over 30 innovative products in the pipeline.