Asia’s Biggest Vaccine Maker to Seek Fast-Track Nod for Dengue Drug in India

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Asia's largest vaccine maker, Serum Institute of India, plans to file for fast-track approval to launch a dengue treatment in India, its chief executive said, potentially becoming the first company globally to launch a drug for the mosquito-borne virus.

Serum's plans come as India battles soaring death rates from dengue and its capital New Delhi faces the worst outbreak of the virus in five years, exposing inadequate public health measures to combat the disease.

Dengue is common in India and cases generally peak in October, after the monsoon rains. It is one of the biggest causes of hospitalization and death among children in India.

Serum bought exclusive rights from U.S. biotech Visterra to sell its innovative monoclonal antibody, VIS513, as a treatment for dengue in the Indian subcontinent in a deal worth up to $39 million, both companies said earlier this month.

Serum, owned by the billionaire Cyrus Poonawalla, has sought the Indian government's approval to import the antibody and conduct clinical trials in India, its Chief Executive Adar Poonawalla said in an interview.

Visterra has tested the antibody on animals so far.

 

Source: Fox News (link opens in a new window)

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Health Care
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infectious diseases, vaccines