Wockhardt plans to launch antibiotic Zaynich in early FY26
Mumbai: Wockhardt said that research and trials for the antibiotic Zaynich are advancing well, with plans for an early launch in FY26. Habil Khorakiwala, founder chairman of the city-based company, informed reporters that Zaynich holds a market potential of USD 25 billion.
He added that the company has invested over USD 500 million in research, resulting in six successful developments, including Zaynich, currently progressing through various stages of development and marketing.
Zaynich has been granted a susceptibility breakpoint of 64 mg per litre for around 10 gram negative pathogens showing high resistance rates by the American Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, according to a statement.
According to PTI, he said the company expects the final approvals from the Indian regulators to launch the antibiotic by the end of FY25 and will soon be launching it commercially after that.
For the developed markets as well, the company expects approvals to come in similar timelines or maybe with some lag, Khorakiwala said, outlining the commercial strategies.
In India, the company plans to sell the antibiotic at a tenth of the price in developed markets, and will primarily be targetting pneumonia patients, he said.
In the developed markets, it will be looking for partners willing to establish networks to sell the antibiotic, he said.
Khorakiwala said that antibiotic resistance levels are as high as 60 per cent locally and at an elevated 35 per cent globally which makes it a decent opportunity.
The antibiotic is showing efficacy in both treatment and safety in the trials, he claimed.
The company used USD 25 million from a recent Rs 480 crore equity capital raise towards the research and development of Zaynich, while Rs 100 crore was utilised to reduce the debt, an official said.
Read also: Wockhardt raises Rs 480 crores via QIP
The external debt stands at about Rs 900 crore, of which Rs 500 crore is for working capital purposes, Khorakiwala said, stressing that it is comfortable from a liquidity standpoint.
Apart from this, the company has also borrowed Rs 1,000 crore from the promoter Khorakiwala family, he said, adding that the family is comfortable and not in a hurry for repayments, especially given the business opportunity it sees.
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