Wockhardt established an Antibiotic Academy to engage with healthcare practitioners, share real-world clinical data and promote the rational use of antibiotics. The initiative comes as the pharmaceutical company advances a portfolio of six antibiotic products at different stages of research and development and launch. Wockhardt Founder and Chairman Habil Khorakiwala said the academy will provide an open scientific platform for healthcare professionals to discuss antimicrobial resistance (AMR), clinical evidence and appropriate antibiotic use.
Zaynich Set for India and US Launch
Wockhardt’s novel antibiotic Zaynich is expected to be launched in India and the US early next year, Khorakiwala said. Meanwhile, six of the company’s antibacterial discovery programmes have received Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The designation is intended to support and accelerate the development of medicines that address serious or life-threatening infections. The company’s expanding antibiotic pipeline has also strengthened its focus on improving awareness and clinical decision-making around antibiotic use.
Tackling the Growing Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance
Wockhardt said the Antibiotic Academy addresses the growing global challenge of antimicrobial resistance, which continues to make infections harder to treat. Khorakiwala noted that despite the introduction of more than 300 antibiotics since the discovery of penicillin nearly a century ago, antimicrobial resistance has continued to emerge and accelerate. He described AMR as one of the major threats to global public health. According to the company, approximately one million patients die annually in India from multidrug-resistant infections, highlighting the urgent need for stronger antimicrobial stewardship and better treatment practices.
Promoting Science-Based Antibiotic Stewardship
According to Khorakiwala, developing new antibiotics alone will not be sufficient to address the AMR crisis. Healthcare professionals also need access to scientific evidence and platforms that encourage constructive dialogue on antimicrobial resistance and its appropriate management. “It is essential to use the right antibiotic for the right patient at the right time,” Khorakiwala said. The Wockhardt Antibiotic Academy will therefore function as an open scientific learning platform designed to support continuous medical education among healthcare professionals.
Focus on Continuous Medical Education
The academy will facilitate knowledge-sharing and discussions around real-world clinical data, antimicrobial resistance and responsible antibiotic use. By bringing practitioners together, Wockhardt aims to encourage evidence-based approaches to antibiotic selection and treatment. Importantly, Khorakiwala said the initiative would have no commercial-use motive, positioning the academy primarily as a scientific and educational platform. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, the initiative complements Wockhardt’s antibiotic research efforts while highlighting the importance of antimicrobial stewardship, clinical education and responsible antibiotic use in tackling the growing threat of drug-resistant infections.
