In a major breakthrough for public health, India is set to get its first-ever dengue vaccine in 2027. Japanese pharma giant Takeda’s Qdenga (TAK-003) will be available in India in the first half of 2027, following a new distribution agreement.
Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. Under this pact, Dr. Reddy’s will promote and distribute Qdenga in India’s private market for pediatric and adult vaccination.
Approval:It received marketing authorization from India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in July 2026, making it India’s first approved dengue vaccine.-
Eligibility: Approved for individuals aged 4 to 60 years.-
Type:A live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine built to provide broad coverage against all four dengue serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4).-
Dosage: Two-dose regimen given three months apart.-
Efficacy: Late-stage trials showed 80.2% efficacy against confirmed dengue cases and 90.4% efficacy against dengue-related hospitalizations.
Dengue cases in India have increased 11-fold in the last two decades. In 2024 alone, India reported over 2.32 lakh cases. A nationwide study by ICMR found all four serotypes co-circulating, with 1 in 14 patients infected with multiple serotypes concurrently.
Takeda has also partnered with Indian manufacturer Biological E to scale up production to 50 million doses annually, aiming for 100 million doses globally by 2030.
The vaccine will initially be available only in private hospitals and clinics from H1 2027. The price has not yet been announced, as the companies are completing local regulatory processes.
The launch of Qdenga marks a new era in India’s fight against vector-borne diseases. While private-market access is the first step, its eventual inclusion in the public program could significantly reduce India’s dengue burden.