Chennai-based Orchid Pharma has partnered with Cipla Limited to launch Cefepime-Enmetazobactam, a novel antibiotic, developed by the former, which has been licenced for the treatment of complex urinary tract infections (cUTI), hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), and ventilator-associated pneumonia.

This collaboration intends to rapidly disseminate Cefepime-Enmetazobactam throughout India, tackling the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The agreement brings together Orchid's breakthrough medicine research with Cipla's enormous distribution network.

Mr. Manish Dhanuka, Managing Director of Orchid Pharma, emphasised the relevance of this medicine. Doctors had to start using carbapenems, a type of antibiotic that is meant to be used when most other drugs don't work because bacteria were becoming more resistant to the drugs that were normally used to treat these conditions, like piperacillin-tazobactam for cUTI. Now, Orchid's Cefepime-Enmetazobactam will enable clinicians to save carbapenems by limiting their use."

Mr. Umang Vohra, Cipla's Managing Director and Global CEO, stated, "AMR is an urgent and serious healthcare challenge that requires global attention." With the increasing prevalence of potentially fatal infections, there is a critical need for innovative anti-infectives in order to successfully treat MDR infections. This collaboration extends Cipla's commitment to AMR stewardship and our efforts to battle infectious diseases and provide advanced, innovative medicines to patients.

Both businesses will collaborate with healthcare practitioners to ensure proper usage of this new antibiotic. They will also create teaching programmes and prescribing recommendations to maximise the drug's benefits while minimising additional antimicrobial resistance.