Mumbai: drug manufacturer Wockhardt said on friday Research And Trials But Antibiotic Zanich We are progressing satisfactorily, and aim to reach this target by early FY26 launch.Zainich has one market potential Habil Khorakiwala, founder chairman of the city-based company, told reporters here that the total turnover of the company is USD 25 billion.

He said the company has so far invested more than US$500 million on its research efforts, leading to six breakthroughs, including Zanich, which are at various stages of development and marketing.

Zanich has been assigned a susceptibility breakpoint of 64 milligrams per liter by the American Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute for approximately 10 gram-negative pathogens that show high resistance rates, according to a statement.

He said the company expects to receive final approval from Indian regulators to launch the antibiotic by the end of FY25 and commercially launch it soon thereafter.

Outlining the commercial strategies, Khorakiwala said the company expects approvals for developed markets too to come within the same timeframe or perhaps with some delay.

He said the company plans to sell the antibiotic in India at one-tenth the price in developed markets and would mainly target pneumonia patients.

He said in developed markets the company would look for partners who would be willing to set up a network to sell antibiotics.

Khorakiwala said antibiotic resistance levels are as high as 60 per cent locally and as high as 35 per cent globally, making this a great opportunity.

He claimed that in tests this antibiotic is proving to be effective in both treatment and protection.

Of the Rs 480 crore equity capital raised recently, the company used $25 million for research and development of Janich while Rs 100 crore was used to reduce debt, an official said.

Khorakiwala said the external debt is around Rs 900 crore, of which Rs 500 crore is for working capital. He stressed that it is satisfactory from the liquidity point of view.

Besides, the company has also borrowed Rs 1,000 crore from the promoter Khorakiwala family, he said. He said the family is comfortable and is in no hurry to repay, especially considering the business opportunity it presents.

Wockhardt shares closed 4.99 per cent higher at Rs 686.40 on BSE, while the benchmark index fell 0.27 per cent.