Vaccine for dengue may be out in markets by mid-2026, says IIL

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Health

Context:

Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), a subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board, has completed the first phase of clinical trials for a dengue vaccine, which focused on assessing safety.

Details:

The vaccine’s efficacy will be tested in the upcoming second and third phases of trials, with a commercial release anticipated by mid-2026.
The development of the dengue vaccine involved sourcing virus strains from the National Institute of Virology.
Besides dengue, IIL is working on vaccines for the Zika virus and Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), a tick-borne viral disease primarily confined to Karnataka and its border regions.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has agreed to support the clinical trials for the Zika vaccine financially and is in discussions with IIL about co-developing the KFD vaccine.
Additionally, IIL launched a Hepatitis A vaccine named Havisure in January of this year, which has been well received in the market.

Dengue:

Dengue is a vector-borne disease transmitted by the bite of an infected female Aedes Aegypti mosquito.
- This mosquito also transmits chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika infection.
- Aedesaegypti is a daytime feeder. The peak biting periods are early in the morning and in the evening before dusk.
There are 4 serotypes of the virus that causes dengue. These are known as DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, DEN-4.
The symptoms of the disease will begin anywhere between three to fourteen days after the initial infection.
The symptoms include: High fever, Headache, Vomiting, Muscle and joint pains, Skin Rash
Diagnosis of dengue infection is done with a blood test.
There is no vaccine or specific medication for dengue fever. Patients should seek medical advice, rest and drink plenty of fluids.
Dengue cannot be spread directly from person to person. However, a person infected and suffering from dengue fever can infect other mosquitoes.
Most cases occur in tropical areas of the world, including the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Southern China, Taiwan, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, Mexico, Africa, Central and South America.
WHO estimates 39 crore dengue virus infections per year, of which 9.6 crore show symptoms.

Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD):

Also known as monkey fever, it is a tick-borne viral disease affecting monkeys and humans.
Identified in 1957 in Karnataka, India’s Kyasanur Forest.
Transmission through the bite of infected ticks or contact with blood/tissues of infected animals. Rare person-to-person transmission.
Symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and can progress to hemorrhagic fever and neurological complications.
No specific treatment; prevention focuses on reducing tick exposure, wearing protective clothing, and using tick repellents.
A vaccine is available for high-risk individuals like forest and healthcare workers.
Control measures involve surveillance, prompt diagnosis, treatment, and tick population control via habitat modification and acaricides.
Endemic to parts of India (Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa) with reports in Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL):

IIL is a subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board, based in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Registered as a Public Limited Company under the Companies Act, 1956, by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA Services).
Established in 1982 by the National Dairy Development Board.
Known for developing vaccines for both veterinary and human use, including those for foot-and-mouth disease, rabies, bacterial infections, canine diseases, hepatitis, measles, MMR, and DPT.
Major supplier of DPT, TT, and hepatitis B vaccines to India’s Universal Immunization Programme.
Operates three vaccine manufacturing facilities in India: one in Gachibowli-Hyderabad for vaccine production, one in Karakapatla-Hyderabad for animal health formulations and human vaccines, and one in Ooty for the human anti-rabies vaccine “Abhayrab”.
Has a subsidiary in New Zealand, Pristine Biologicals Ltd, involved in serum production for vaccine manufacturing.
Launched the measles and rubella vaccine ‘Mabella’ for children on 25 November 2023, developed in partnership with Polyvac Institute of Vietnam, marking the 25th anniversary of the Human Biologicals Institute (HBI) division in Udhagamandalam (Ooty), Tamil Nadu.

Source: TH