Dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever, is a Mosquito-borne tropical diseases caused by the densue virus. In a small proportion of cases, the disease develops into the life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure occurs. As there is no commercially available vaccine, prevention is sought by reducing the habitat and the number of mosquitoes and limiting exposure to bites.
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. 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.
Serum, which has tied up with US-based Biotechnology company Visterra to use its technology to develop the MonoclonalAntibody, hopes to commercialize the treatment within 12-18 months of getting the regulatory approvals, Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla told TOI.
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.
Serum, which has tied up with US-based Biotechnology company Visterra to use its technology to develop the MonoclonalAntibody, hopes to commercialize the treatment within 12-18 months of getting the regulatory approvals, Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla told TOI.
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.
Amongst the vaccines, Sanofi has emerged as a front-runner, having completed Phase II trials, a company official said.
About half the world's population is at risk of contracting the virus, with no specific treatment for dengue/ severe dengue, but early detection and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates below 1%, according to the World Health Organization.
Visterra's humanized MonoclonalAntibody, VIS513 has reportedly worked to neutralize all four serotypes of dengue virus, with the "animal model" studies showing promising results, he added. The US company is already running its own trials in Singapore, Serum will need to do clinical studies here on Indian subjects by importing the clone.
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