Cure for dengue by a Pune firm

September 23, 2015 Hot from the Oven Valli Sarvani No comments

Pune based Serum Institute is set to develop a new biologic drug which will treat all the four strains of dengue virus. Serum, which is Asia’s largest vaccine maker, is in the process of applying to the Ministry of Science and Technology for a “fast track approval” in order to release the cure as soon as possible.

This biologic treatment will be given as a single dose cure for dengue. It costs Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 for each dose.

Serum Institute is tied up with US-based biotechnology company Visterra in order to use their technology for developing the monoclonal antibody. The institute aims to commercialize the treatment in 12-18 months after getting the regulatory approvals according Adar Poonawalla the CEO of Serum Institute.

It is likely that Serum’s biologic drug would be the first treatment to roll out; however, other big companies like Sanofi and Novartis are competing heavily to launch a vaccine in the next few years.

The terms of the agreement for this cure give Serum Institute exclusive license to commercialize the treatment for the Indian subcontinent which includes countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. The institute has paid a $5 million upfront payment, and up to $34 million based on the achievement of certain development and commercial milestones.

In the world, half the population is at risk contracting dengue virus and there is no specific treatment for dengue. Only early detection and having access to proper medical care can reduce fatality rates below 1 percent, stated the World Health Organization.

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.

The vaccine market could be huge as it is estimated to reach $400 million in 2020, according to GlobalData. There are other estimations which even state that it can be tripe that making it $1.4 billion.

Image by Mohamed Nuzrath from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)