Bioasia 2024: Takeda Pharma to partner with Biological E to make 50 million dengue vaccines

Additionally, Miltenyi Biotec, a global leader in providing services for Cell and Gene Therapy, has announced the establishment of a centre in Hyderabad.

BySouth First Desk

Published Feb 27, 2024 | 4:09 PM Updated Feb 27, 2024 | 4:09 PM

Takeda-Biological E parternship at the Bioasia 2024

The BioAsia 2024 healthcare and life sciences conference held in Hyderabad on Tuesday, 27 February, witnessed two major boosts for the pharmaceutical industry of Telangana.

The conference was organised by the Government of Telangana, and inaugurated by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

The Japanese multinational pharmaceutical company Takeda announced a strategic collaboration with Biological E Limited, a prominent vaccines and biologics company in India, for the manufacturing of Takeda’s dengue vaccine, TAK-003.

Additionally, Miltenyi Biotech will be inaugurating its presence in India, marking the establishment of its first office in Hyderabad.

The company is making investments to establish the Miltenyi Innovation and Technology Centre in Hyderabad, which will function as the CGT Centre of Excellence (COE).

Combating dengue at a global scale

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.”

He added: “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.”

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. He stated, “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.”

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.

Hyderabad to host the facility

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed delight in hosting the facility for dengue vaccine manufacturing in Hyderabad.

He added: “The state of Telangana provides a conducive environment for research and development, particularly in the field of vaccines and biologics.”

The IT Minister D Sridhar Babu said, “We are happy to support this partnership between science, government and industry to drive and scale innovations for universal health coverage.”

Mahima Datla, MD of Biological E Limited, expressed pride in the collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceuticals for the production of their groundbreaking dengue vaccine.

She added: “Together, we are committed to shaping a healthier future for all, delivering innovative vaccines, and transformative care worldwide.”

Beyond Covid: South Indian states showed uptick in seasonal influenza, dengue cases in 2023

CGT centre of excellence

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.

According to an official release, “Every year, over 10,000 patients benefit from cell products using Miltenyi Biotec’s technologies. The company has supported more than 950 investigational new drug (IND) applications and investigational device exemptions (IDE) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).”

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.

Dr Boris Stoffel further emphasised Miltenyi Biotec’s commitment to driving accessibility, affordability, and availability of cell and gene therapies through local development and manufacturing in India.

The company aims to catalyze the development of CAR T cell clinical development and manufacturing, potentially bringing centralized and point-of-care CAR T cell therapy to hospitals across India.

Also Read: What is CAR-T cell therapy and how can it help ‘cure cancer’ in India?