Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Takeda (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) and Biological E. Limited (BE), an Indian pharmaceutical company, have recently joined forces in a strategic partnership to expedite access to QDENGA®▼ (Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine [Live, Attenuated]) (TAK-003) multi-dose vials (MDVs). Their aim is to make these doses available for governments in countries where dengue is endemic by 2030 at the latest, supporting National Immunization Programs. MDVs offer economic and logistical benefits by reducing packaging and storage costs, as well as minimizing medical and environmental waste. BE plans to increase manufacturing capacity to produce up to 50 million doses annually, aiding Takeda's goal of manufacturing 100 million doses yearly within the decade. This partnership will leverage Takeda’s existing manufacturing facility in Singen, Germany, and its collaboration with IDT Biologika GmbH.
Takeda's Global Vaccine Business Unit, stated, "Takeda's overarching objective for our dengue program has been to ensure broad access to QDENGA for those at risk who could benefit from immunization. Over the past year, we have successfully launched in private markets, initiated programs in some public sectors, and collaborated with partners to extend our public health impact." He added, "We are delighted to announce a strategic manufacturing alliance with Biological E. Limited, renowned for its expertise in vaccine manufacturing and steadfast support for global public health initiatives. Together, we will contribute to the global fight against dengue by significantly increasing the manufacturing capacity for multi-dose vials of QDENGA, thereby facilitating sustainable access to the vaccine in more endemic regions."
Dengue fever ranks among the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral diseases worldwide, with incidence rates skyrocketing 30-fold over the past half-century due to urbanization, travel, and climate change. It currently plagues over 100 countries, causing an estimated 390 million infections annually. The Americas, South-East Asia, and the Western Pacific regions are the hardest hit, with Asia alone bearing approximately 70% of the global disease burden.
Ms. Mahima Datla, Managing Director at Biological E. Limited, expressed her pride in collaborating with Takeda to produce the groundbreaking Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine, QDENGA, in multi-dose vials. She remarked, "Takeda's commitment to patient-centric, value-driven research and development resonates deeply with our mission of advancing healthcare. We are privileged to have established an institute that attracts such esteemed global partners for complex vaccine production, underscoring our joint mission to shape a healthier future for all. With Takeda's distinguished history and global footprint, we are honored to advance our vision of delivering highly innovative medicines and transformative care on a global scale."
Currently, QDENGA is available for both children and adults in the private markets of several European countries, Indonesia, and Thailand, as well as in private and select public programs in Argentina and Brazil. However, TAK-003 is not yet approved for use in India.
QDENGA® (TAK-003) is a dengue vaccine developed from a live-attenuated dengue serotype 2 virus, which serves as the genetic "backbone" for all four dengue virus serotypes, providing protection against any of these serotypes.
In the European Union (EU) Member States, QDENGA is indicated for the prevention of dengue disease in individuals aged four years and older, administered subcutaneously as a 0.5 mL dose following a two-dose (0 and 3 months) schedule according to approved dosing guidelines.
The indications for QDENGA may vary across different countries/regions, and its use should comply with local recommendations.
Source: takeda.com
