Wockhardt, a renowned global pharmaceutical and biotech company, made a groundbreaking announcement on Monday regarding the successful treatment of a highly drug-resistant infection using an investigational antibiotic, Zidebactam/Cefepime. This achievement marks a significant breakthrough in combating challenging bacterial strains.
The case involved a 62-year-old renal transplant patient suffering from sino-pulmonary infection and skull base osteomyelitis caused by NDM-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This strain poses a formidable challenge due to its resistance to most available antibiotics, exacerbating the growing problem of antibiotic resistance in India.
Published in the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the case study underscores the difficulty in treating such infections. Rajeev Soman, lead author of the publication, highlighted the complexities involved, emphasizing the need for adequate antibiotic concentration and efficacy against such pathogens, especially in immunocompromised patients.
Traditional antibiotics had failed in this case, necessitating an urgent search for alternatives. With approval from the Drugs Controller General of India, the patient was treated with Zidebactam/Cefepime, Wockhardt’s investigational antibiotic.
V Balaji, a co-author and leading clinical microbiologist, shed light on the challenges posed by the patient’s infection, particularly the production of NDM enzyme by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, rendering last-line safe antibiotics ineffective.
The success of Zidebactam/Cefepime in treating the patient not only demonstrates its efficacy but also emphasizes the safety of prolonged use. Administered under guidelines, the patient responded positively within 48 hours, with therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) optimizing dosage regimen.
Wockhardt’s focus on antibiotics, particularly those effective against multi-drug resistant infections, is evident. With QIDP Status for six antibacterial discovery programs from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), Wockhardt remains committed to addressing the global challenge of antibiotic resistance.
The successful treatment of the highly drug-resistant infection underscores the importance of continued research and innovation in developing effective antibiotics to combat evolving bacterial threats.
