Dengue vaccine 'Qdenga' to launch in India next year
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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.
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