Cipla has launched Zemdri (Plazomicin), a next-generation injectable antibiotic for drug-resistant complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs), including pyelonephritis, marking a significant advancement in India’s antimicrobial treatment landscape.

Key Highlights

First Indian launch of Zemdri for cUTIs

• Zemdri, an intravenous aminoglycoside, is now available in India for patients aged 18 and above.

• Indicated for infections caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Enterobacter cloacae, particularly those resistant to existing antibiotics.

Data-driven approval

• Backed by results from the EPIC clinical trial — the first randomized controlled study of once-daily aminoglycoside therapy for cUTIs.

• Cipla also generated India-specific pathogen data, showing strong efficacy against multi-drug resistant (MDR) isolates, including those expressing PBP-3 inserts.

Acquisition and licensing background

• Cipla’s U.S. arm acquired global rights to Plazomicin (excluding Greater China) from Achaogen in 2019, along with related assets and limited liabilities.

• The product is launched in India under its global brand name Zemdri.

CEO statement
 “We are proud to be the first pharmaceutical company to launch Zemdri in India and remain committed to building a strong antimicrobial portfolio,”
 – Umang Vohra, Managing Director and Global CEO, Cipla

Mechanism and target pathogens

• Zemdri binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit in bacteria, disrupting protein synthesis and causing mRNA misreading.

• Shows effectiveness against gram-negative bacteria, including strains resistant to beta-lactams and carbapenems.

Global disease burden context

• Complicated UTIs occur in patients with underlying structural or functional abnormalities, such as kidney stones or diabetes.

• An estimated 150 million people globally suffer from UTIs annually.

With the launch of Zemdri, Cipla reinforces its commitment to combatting antimicrobial resistance by introducing innovative therapies tailored to India's evolving infectious disease profile. This move strengthens India’s arsenal in treating life-threatening drug-resistant infections.