In a groundbreaking stride toward medical self-reliance, India has developed its first indigenously discovered antibiotic, ‘Nafithromycin’, a major breakthrough in the fight against drug-resistant respiratory infections. The antibiotic, particularly effective for cancer patients and individuals with poorly controlled diabetes, marks a significant milestone in the country’s pharmaceutical innovation journey.

Announcing the achievement, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, said that Nafithromycin is the first antibiotic molecule entirely conceptualized, developed, and clinically validated in India. “This represents a defining leap toward ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in healthcare and the pharmaceutical sector,” he said.

Developed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in collaboration with Wockhardt Ltd, the discovery exemplifies a successful industry–academia partnership driving India’s biopharmaceutical growth. Dr. Singh emphasized that such collaborations are key to building a self-sustainable innovation ecosystem, reducing dependence on government funding, and encouraging private and philanthropic investment in research.

The announcement came during the inauguration of a three-day Medical Workshop on ‘Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Multi-Omics Data Integration and Analysis’ in New Delhi. Speaking at the event, Dr. Singh underscored the need for India to adopt a self-sustaining, innovation-driven research model, much like globally recognized scientific powerhouses.

Adding to the list of medical achievements, Dr. Singh also revealed that India has conducted its first successful indigenous clinical trial in gene therapy for Hemophilia, supported by the DBT and carried out at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. The trial achieved a 60–70% correction rate with zero bleeding episodes, a result that has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine — a testament to India’s growing leadership in advanced biomedical research.

He also highlighted India’s success in sequencing over 10,000 human genomes, with plans to scale up to one million, further cementing the country’s role in global genomic medicine.

Dr. Singh credited the newly launched Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) as a key catalyst for such breakthroughs. With a five-year outlay of ₹50,000 crore, including ₹36,000 crore from non-government sources, the ANRF aims to promote stronger collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions, driving India’s transition toward global research competitiveness.

Emphasizing the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, Dr. Singh noted that AI-based hybrid mobile clinics are now reaching rural and remote areas, while AI-driven grievance redressal systems under the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) have achieved a remarkable 97–98% weekly disposal rate, improving citizen satisfaction and service delivery.

He lauded hospitals such as Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for integrating AI, biotechnology, and genomics to improve patient outcomes and called for greater synergy among government departments, private hospitals, and research institutes to realize the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047.’

“India is entering a new era of self-reliance in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and genomic medicine,” Dr. Singh concluded. “The convergence of innovation, collaboration, and compassion will define India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation — and establish our leadership in the global science and technology landscape.”