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.
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