Japanese multinational pharmaceutical company, Takeda, on Tuesday announced a strategic collaboration with Biological E Limited, a prominent vaccines and biologics company based in Hyderabad, for the manufacturing of Takeda’s dengue vaccine, TAK-003.
The announcement was made at the BioAsia 2024 healthcare and life sciences conference being hosted by the Telangana government in Hyderabad. The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.
The Takeda-Biological E partnership aims to combat the global public health threat posed by dengue fever, aligning with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) specific target to achieve a zero case-fatality rate due to dengue by 2030.
The collaboration aims to significantly boost manufacturing capabilities, ensuring a stable global supply of the vaccine. Biological E will increase its production capacity, potentially achieving an annual output of 50 million doses. This acceleration aligns with Takeda’s goal to manufacture 100 million doses per year within the next decade.
Gary Dubin, MD, President of the Global Vaccine Business Unit at Takeda speaking of the company’s aim said: “Takeda’s overarching objective for our dengue program has been to ensure widespread availability of TAK-003 for those at risk who can benefit from immunization.”
“With this collaboration, leveraging Biological E’s extensive expertise in vaccine manufacturing, we will play a crucial role in combating dengue on a global scale by significantly expanding the manufacturing capacity for multi-dose vials of TAK-003, ensuring sustainable access to the vaccine in more endemic countries,” he said.
Dion Warren, Head of India and Southeast Asia Multi-country Organisation at Takeda, expressed enthusiasm with vaccine approvals in Thailand, Indonesia, and recently in Malaysia. “We are excited for a future where integrated protection against dengue can potentially improve the lives of countless people in India, Southeast Asia, and beyond,” he said.
Dengue, the fastest-spreading mosquito-borne viral disease, poses a significant threat to approximately half of the world’s population. In India and Southeast Asia, where 1.3 billion people reside in dengue-endemic areas, the collaboration aims to address the high burden of the disease.
The recent endorsement by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization recommends Takeda’s dengue vaccine for introduction in areas with high dengue burden and transmission intensity to maximize public health impact.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed delight in hosting the facility for dengue vaccine manufacturing in Hyderabad.
“Our government creates a conducive environment for research and development, particularly in the field of vaccines and biologics,” the Chief Minister said.
Mahima Datla, MD of Biological E Limited, expressed pride in the collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceuticals for the production of their ground-breaking dengue vaccine.
Meanwhile, Miltenyi Biotec, a global leader in providing end-to-end services for Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT), has announced the establishment of its first Innovation and Technology Centre in Hyderabad.
The decision to set up the Innovation and Technology Center was announced after a meeting between Revanth Reddy and Miltenyi Biotec representatives, including MD Dr Boris Stoffel.
Welcoming the company to Telangana, the chief minister emphasised the centre’s significance in advancing novel therapies and providing healthcare options globally.
The centre will also offer training in cell and gene therapy to academia and industry, aligning with the state’s vision of skill development.
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