Health · Pharma & Biotech · 7 hrs ago
Wockhardt seeks 12–14 years of data protection for Indian-made drugs
Wockhardt is urging India to protect data for locally developed drugs for 12 to 14 years.
Chairman Habil Khorakiwala said the protection should apply to products developed in India, including chemical and biological medicines.
Regulatory data protection limits how competitors can use a drug maker’s approval data when seeking approval for their own versions.
Khorakiwala said weak incentives and delays in approvals can reduce the time Indian companies have to sell new medicines and earn back research costs.
He says stronger protection could encourage drug discovery and attract investment, while helping patients gain access to newer treatments.
Wockhardt has developed antibiotic candidates for antimicrobial resistance, and its drug Zaynich received approvals from Indian and US regulators in May, according to the story.
Khorakiwala also called for closer coordination between India’s patent office and drug regulator; no government response or decision on his proposal is given.
Wockhardt has asked India to provide 12–14 years of regulatory data protection for drugs researched and developed in the country.
Chairman Habil Khorakiwala said weak incentives and limited market exclusivity are holding back drug discovery and access to new treatments.
He said the protection should cover products developed in India across chemical, biological and regenerative medicine.
Wockhardt secured Indian and US regulatory approvals in May 2026 for Zaynich, a drug to treat complicated urinary tract infections.
A recent IQVIA study found that innovative drugs launch in India at least 3.95 years after their global debuts.
- Who
- Wockhardt, through chairman Habil Khorakiwala.
- What
- The company wants India to provide 12–14 years of regulatory data protection for drugs researched and developed locally.
- When
- The article was published on 3 November 2026. Wockhardt said it received approvals for Zaynich in May 2026.
- Where
- India; Wockhardt is based in Mumbai.
- Why
- Khorakiwala said limited incentives and market exclusivity hold back drug discovery and patient access to newer treatments.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Wockhardt secured Indian and US regulatory approvals for Zaynich to treat complicated urinary tract infections.
Economic Times reported Wockhardt’s call for 12–14 years of regulatory data protection for locally researched and developed drugs.
- Proposed data protection
- 12–14 years
- Company
- Wockhardt
- Chairman
- Habil Khorakiwala
- Drug
- Zaynich (cefepime + zidebactam)
- Zaynich approvals
- Indian and US regulators, May 2026
- India launch delay
- At least 3.95 years behind global debuts, according to an IQVIA study
What people are saying
My suggestion is any new product developed in any field, whether it is chemical, biological or regenerative medicine, if that product comes out of India, it should get 12-14 years of data protection
What we are losing out with this patent law (in India with no data exclusivity provisions) is also the availability of new life-saving drugs
Even if I am late on a patent because I was delayed, I should get at least 10 years of data protection. That incentive is very important