Dengue vaccine tetravalent(Takeda)

New Delhi: Japanese major Takeda plans to launch its dengue vaccine, Qdenga, in India next year, partnering with Hyderabad-based Biological E (Bio E) to align with the 'Make-in-India' initiative. Having recognised dengue as a "global health challenge," the over $23 bn company will adopt a "tiered pricing model for its first global vaccine to maximise access'', Derek Wallace, president, global vaccine business unit, Takeda, told TOI in an exclusive interview. The company, with focus on oncology, rare diseases and gastroenterology, negotiates lower prices for centralised govt procurement on a country-by-country basis, and a similar strategy will be implemented in India, he said. Elaborating on the regulatory process, he said, it "is ongoing and on track", with clinical trials underway to generate local safety data. "We've already submitted a comprehensive data package that supported registration in 40 countries and we anticipate the vaccine will be licensed in India in 2026'', he added. "We plan to introduce the vaccine in both private and public sectors simultaneously. The initial conversation aligns with WHO guidelines for implementing public programs for the pediatric population. However, we are introducing the vaccine in the private sector for both pediatric and adult populations'", Wallace added. Qdenga is the company's first globally developed and marketed vaccine. It is a tetravalent live-attenuated vaccine targeting all four dengue serotypes, and has a two-dose regimen with a three-month interval. By Rupali Mukherjee ,

Derek Wallace was in a dengue-focused intensive care unmet in Thailand in 2009 when he first saw the devastating impact of the disease up close, also known as breakbone fever. Facing a shortage of space, children shared beds while parents slept together on mattresses tucked below.Thats been the case for decades in some countries, said Wallace, who was a clinical team leader for Sanofi's dengue vaccine studies at the time and is now president of Takeda Pharmaceuticals global vaccine business unit. But whats really important is that its getting worse. Theres 30 times more dengue than there was 50 years ago, and theres eight times more dengue now than there was 20 years ago.The mosquito-transmitted virus is among the top 10 global health threats designated by the World Health Organization. There were a record 6.43 million cases of dengue and nearly 7,000 deaths worldwide in 2023 the largest outbreak ever recorded. Dengue is also spreading faster in places where it hasnt before thanks to factors like climate change, urbanization and increased global travel, according to the WHO.Dengue is moving, and we are starting to get a ton of locally acquired dengue fever cases in the U.S., specifically in Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Florida, said Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist and data scientist known for a popular newsletter. And we expect this to continue increasing over time.Despite the rapid global spread, there is no specific treatment for dengue, and worldwide vaccine availability is spottly.Sanofis Dengvaxia is currently the only dengue vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. But the company is discontinuing the shot in the third quarter of 2026 due to low global demand for this product, a Sanofi spokesperson said via email.Derek Wallace, president, global vaccine business unit, TakedaPermission granted by TakedaTakedas two-dose dengue vaccine, Qdenga, is approved in 40 countries outside of the U.S, and Takeda withdrew its U.S. application in 2023. Some additional data was requested that we couldn't provide, Wallace said, but declined to provide details.Although the U.S. IND is still open for Qdenga, there are no specific updates to share at this time about the timing of supplying additional data or resubmission, a Takeda spokesperson said via email.The vaccination challengeContracting most viral diseases for the first time will arm the body with antibodies that fend off subsequent infections. But thats not the case with dengue, thanks to antibody dependent enhancement that stems from dengues four closely related, but distinct, viral serotypes.Its challenging because it's a very unique disease in which secondary infections are more severe than the first infections, said Jetelina.Sanofis vaccine has long controversial for this reason. Receiving Dengvaxia could act as a first dengue infection, resulting in a more severe illness after contracting the virus a second time. As a result, Dengvaxia can only be administered to people whove had dengue before, and people must be screened for a previous infection before getting the shot.But thats not how Dengvaxias initial Philippines rollout went a mass vaccination program didnt take this screening step, leading to more severe disease among some patients and potentially some deaths.The onerous logistics of needing a pre-vaccine screening combined with a three-dose regimen not to mention erodeing public trust in vaccines has curbed demand for Dengvaxia so substantially that Sanofi is pulling it from the market.While we have made consistent efforts to facilitate its access and the implementation of the Screen & Vaccinate approach as recommended by WHO in 2018, uptake and demand has remained low, the Sanofi spokesperson said. Despite an increased prevalence of dengue in different parts of the world, theres only one Dengvaxia immunization program in place due to the complexity of implementing this product.Qdenga doesnt have these limitations. According to Takeda, the two-dose jab is the only vaccine approved for use regardless of previous dengue exposure. The WHO doesnt recommend pre-vaccination screenings for Qdenga administration in settings with high dengue transmission, although local approvals may vary. Qdenga has been shown to be 61% effective against symptomatic disease and 84% effective in preventing hospitalization. Still, its not approved in the U. S.Other vaccines are in development, including the single-dose ButantanDengue vaccine that showed positive Phase 3 study results.Dengues spreadThese vaccination and treatment challenges only make dengues spread more worrisome.Dengue is spreading to areas where it was not prevalent, and its affecting more susceptible populations that have no immunity whatsoever, said Andr Siqueira, head of the Dengue Global Program at the nonprofit Drugs for Neglected Diseases.He points to southern Brazil, where dengues recent and rapid spread has overwhelmed health systems in an area that previously didnt have any infections.What has happened the last few years in Brazil may mirror what can happen in these places where dengue transmission is still picking up, Siqueira said.The U. S. is one of those places. In Puerto Rico, a record-high dengue surge sparked a public health emergency in March, and in the Florida Keys, public health officials issued an alert last summer.Dengue thrives in warm urban areas, and the mosquitoes responsible for its spread can efficiently reproduce even in small pockets of water. Therefore, a warming climate with heavier rainfalls, along with increased urbanization, are all fueling the spread. Moreover, these mosquitoes have evolved resistance to insecticides and are adapting to different conditions, including more temperate climates, Siqueira said.Thats why public health organizations are taking action. DNDi kick-started its Dengue Alliance in 2022; the WHO launched a global strategic plan against dengue earlier this month; and Takeda partnered with the Indian pharma Biological E. Limited earlier this year to accelerate access to the vaccine in endemic areas.But public health officials and local health systems are still racing against the clock, calling for more vaccines, dengue-specific treatments and improved diagnostics.There is a perception that well find one solution for dengue, Siqueira said. What we probably need in the most affected areas is an integrated approach. '