Switzerland's GARDP Partners India's Orchid Pharma to Make Antibiotic to Combat Gram-Negative Infections

The agreement aims to accelerate antibiotic access for numerous patients dwelling in regions with the highest rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 

Switzerland's non-profit organisation, The Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP) and India's Orchid Pharma have entered into a sublicense agreement to manufacture cefiderocol, an antibiotic to combat certain Gram-negative infections.

The newly inked agreement aims to accelerate antibiotic access for numerous patients dwelling in regions with the highest rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 

This agreement aligns with an initiative led by Japan's Shionogi & Co., GARDP, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) with the goal of granting access to cefiderocol in predominantly low- and middle-income countries.  

Through this initiative, the companies seek to address the worldwide disparity in fair access to essential antibiotics further ensuring affordable, quality-assured antibiotics to treat drug-resistant Gram-negative infections.  

Reportedly, individuals in low and middle-income countries face a significant burden of mortality resulting from drug-resistant bacterial infections. Additionally, their access to antibiotics capable of combating the resistant bacteria is typically delayed by more than a decade. 

Furthermore, exacerbating this dire situation, there has been a notable surge in severe and potentially life-threatening infections caused by carbapenem-resistant bacteria in various regions, including South Asia and Latin America.

The newly inked agreement is an extension of the license agreement between Shionogi and GARDP, as well as the collaboration agreement between Shionogi, GARDP, and CHAI, all of which were signed in June 2022.

Under these agreements, CHAI will facilitate the technology transfer process between Shionogi and Orchid, while Shionogi will provide crucial manufacturing information to Orchid. This collaborative effort is aimed at expediting Orchid's capacity to produce cefiderocol, thereby reducing potential costs that could be passed on to patients.

Sharing his views, Manish Dhanuka, MD of Orchid Pharma, said 'œThis will ensure manufacturing affordable and quality-assured cefiderocol.'

Based in Chennai, Orchid Pharma was selected following a vetting process led by CHAI with GARDP. The pharma company further has a presence in the global market North America, South America, and Europe.