Wockhardt has filed a Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its novel antibiotic WCK 5222, marking a significant milestone in the company’s global regulatory journey. The application was submitted on January 5, 2026, positioning the drug for scientific evaluation across 27 European Union member states and three European Economic Area countries—Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein—covering a total of 30 nations.

The EMA, which is responsible for the centralised assessment of new medicines in Europe, had earlier informed Wockhardt that WCK 5222 qualifies for the Accelerated Assessment pathway. This provision enables a shortened review timeline for therapies that address serious unmet medical needs, underlining the clinical importance of the antibiotic in combating resistant infections.

WCK 5222 is a fixed-dose combination of Zidebactam (1 g) and Cefepime (2 g), developed to treat severe Gram-negative bacterial infections that are resistant to existing therapies. The product is already under fast-track review by the US Food and Drug Administration, reflecting growing global regulatory recognition of its potential clinical value.

Based on the clinical and regulatory data submitted, Wockhardt anticipates approval of WCK 5222 for the treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections across all countries under the EMA’s jurisdiction. The priority status accorded to the application highlights the urgent global need for effective treatment options for patients suffering from life-threatening infections caused by antimicrobial resistance.

Notably, WCK 5222 is the first New Chemical Entity (NCE) discovered and developed in India to be submitted for pan-European marketing authorisation, reinforcing India’s growing capabilities in advanced pharmaceutical research and innovation.