Wockhardt’s Zaynich™ Successfully Treats Severe Drug-Resistant Infections

Over the past year, Wockhardt’s investigational drug Zaynich™ (a combination of Zidebactam and Cefepime) has successfully treated more than 35 critically ill patients in India and the US who were suffering from severe drug-resistant infections through compassionate use. The drug has once again proven effective in managing complex and severe infections.

One recent case involved a 64-year-old patient with Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure who had been dealing with lung and brain tuberculosis for about a year. After undergoing a spinal tap to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the patient developed symptoms like fever, drowsiness, and unconsciousness, leading to the need for mechanical ventilation. The patient was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis caused by a pan-drug-resistant superbug known as Pseudomonas, confirmed through CSF analysis.

Initial treatments with other antibiotics, such as Ceftazidime/Avibactam, Aztreonam, and Meropenem, were ineffective, as the patient’s condition continued to worsen with rising fever and infection markers like C-Reactive Protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and white blood cells (WBC). Due to their significant toxicity and poor ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, Colistin and Polymyxin were not viable treatment options.

With no other alternatives, a team of senior doctors decided to use Zidebactam/Cefepime under compassionate use. The treatment lasted for 3 weeks, during which the patient’s condition improved significantly. CRP and procalcitonin levels decreased, and the patient was taken off the ventilator. Within a week of starting the treatment, tests showed the infection was under control, and after three weeks, the Pseudomonas was completely eradicated. The patient’s symptoms resolved, and they were discharged from the hospital in stable condition. The drug was well-tolerated throughout the treatment period.

Meningitis, which is the inflammation of the tissues around the brain and spinal cord, is difficult to treat because most antibiotics struggle to cross the blood-brain barrier. This case demonstrates the impressive ability of Zidebactam/Cefepime to combat infections in hard-to-reach areas of the body. It marks the first successful treatment of hospital-acquired meningitis caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas using Zidebactam/Cefepime, highlighting its potential as an effective treatment option.

About Wockhardt Limited

Wockhardt is an international pharmaceutical and biotechnology company that produces a range of products, including tablets, injectables, biopharmaceuticals, as well as oral and topical medications like creams and ointments.

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