Dengue news: Vaccines update from Serum insitute


Times of India reports that Asia's largest vaccine maker, Pune-based Serum Institute will develop a biologic drug to treat all four strains of the dengue virus, and is in the process of applying to the Ministry of Science and Technology for a "fast-track approval" to roll-out the treatment in the country. Serum, which has tied up with US-based biotechnology company Visterra to use its technology to develop the monoclonal antibody, hopes to commercialize the treatment within 12-18 months of getting the regulatory approvals, Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla told TOI.

The biologic treatment (monoclonal anti-body) once rolled out will be given as an injection to cure dengue, and cost between Rs 5,000-10,000 for a single dose. Only one dose will be required. While Serum's biologic drug could become one of the first treatments to roll out, other biggies like Sanofi and Novartis are also in the race to launch a vaccine may happen over the next few years.

If the trials are successful, Serum could perhaps become the first company to offer a cure for the dreaded infection which has shown the worst outbreak, with several deaths, and cases doubling this year.

Under the terms of the agreement, Serum Institute has an exclusive license to commercialize the treatment for the Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. It has paid Visterra a $5 million upfront payment, and up to $34 million based on the achievement of certain development and commercial milestones.

Serum Institute will fund and be responsible for the clinical development of VIS513 in the licensed territories, including the filing of regulatory applications. The companies will establish a joint steering committee to coordinate the development for the Indian subcontinent.

The Pune-based company is also working on a dengue vaccine, like the other global biggies to be given as a preventive. The development of a vaccine will take three to four years, as it has to be tested on a wide-range and number of subjects, he added.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Pune-firm-set-to-roll-out-cure-for-dengue/articleshow/49052684.cms

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