Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first centre in India to enroll a newborn in the NeoSep1 international clinical trial, a major step in the fight against neonatal sepsis and rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The multicentre study, coordinated by the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), aims to identify safe, effective and affordable antibiotic combinations for newborns with sepsis, one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality worldwide.

According to a press note, as one of the participating centres, Jipmer will play a pivotal role in generating high-quality scientific evidence that could shape future treatment guidelines for neonatal sepsis, particularly in low and middle-income countries.

Dr. Nishad Plakkal, Professor and Head of Neonatology at Jipmer, is the principal investigator for the study at the institute and represents all Asia-Pacific trial sites on the NeoSep1 Trial Steering Committee.

According to Jipmer, “Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening bloodstream infection that can rapidly progress to organ failure and death if not treated promptly. Neonatal intensive care units across India are witnessing a growing burden of multi drug-resistant organisms, such as Klebsiella and Acinetobacter, making timely and effective treatment increasingly challenging. By participating in the NeoSep1 trial, Jipmer aims to generate robust clinical evidence to identify antibiotic regimens that improve survival while promoting responsible antimicrobial stewardship.”

The enrolment of the first infant at Jipmer marks the beginning of India’s participation in the global clinical trials dedicated exclusively to neonatal sepsis, the release said.