Japan's Takeda bets on dengue vax to reshape India playbook

Mumbai: Takeda Pharmaceutical, Asia's third-largest drugmaker by market value, is positioning its newly approved dengue vaccine as its next India growth pillar alongside oncology, rare diseases and plasma-derived therapies, betting on one of the world's biggest markets for infectious diseases.

The Japanese company expects to commercially launch Qdenga, the first dengue vaccine approved in India, in the first half of calendar 2027. It also plans to pursue government procurement and eventual inclusion in the National Immunisation Programme (NIP), Mahender Nayak, president, intercontinental region, Takeda Pharma, told ET.

Takeda India recently received Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) approval for Qdenga, which is a preventive vaccine against dengue for individuals aged 4-60. More than 40 countries had approved Qdenga earlier.

The company is currently completing import-related regulatory processes before commercialising the vaccine.

"It (launch) should be in the first half of next calendar year (2027)," Nayak said.

The strategy marks a significant broadening of Takeda's India playbook.

"Our portfolio has varied, but since 2019, our focus has been in oncology, rare diseases, and plasma-derived therapies. Qdenga brings us into the forefront of public health and elevates the responsibility that we have as a company in India," said Nayak. "It's a pivotal moment for us in terms of how we look at India," he added.

As with most vaccines introduced in India, Takeda plans to begin sales through the private market before expanding access through public procurement.

"The initial access will be through the private market...And then we would work also with the state governments... to make sure that we have some kind of partnership to make it available in the public... And eventually it will be the National Immunisation Programme," Nayak said.

India accounts for nearly one-third of the global dengue burden, with cases rising eleven-fold over the past decade, making vaccines a significant long-term growth opportunity for Takeda.

According to data from the ministry of health's National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control, reported cases stood at over 121,000 in 2025, with the number of deaths at 131. Modelling analyses suggest the dengue burden in India is higher than reported, likely representing tens of millions of infections each year.

Qdenga can be used in individuals regardless of previous dengue exposure, without the need for pre-vaccination testing.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that poses a significant global public health threat, with prevalence in over 125 countries. India has all four dengue virus serotypes and Qdenga is designed to protect against all four serotypes. The vaccine is administered subcutaneously 0.5 mL as a two-dose regimen, with doses given three months apart.

After two doses of vaccine, 54-month data showed 84.1% efficacy against dengue-related hospitalisations. The vaccine has also showed sustained safety and efficacy for up to seven years across all four dengue virus serotypes.

The company has not yet begun formal discussions on NIP inclusion, with its immediate focus having been regulatory approval. Nayak said talks with the Centre and state governments would now begin as part of the normal course for vaccine adoption.

While Nayak refused to disclose pricing, he added that affordability would be central to Takeda's commercial strategy.