Serum Institute of India and Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative join hands to treat dengue
The world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, Serum Institute of India (SII), has partnered with the nonprofit Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) to fast-track the development of a promising dengue treatment targeting low and middle-income countries.
The collaboration focuses on developing an affordable monoclonal antibody, i.e., lab-produced proteins that mimic natural antibodies, which could treat dengue caused by any of the four virus serotypes.
The partnership will prioritise work in endemic regions including Thailand, Malaysia, and Brazil, addressing a critical gap since no specific dengue treatment currently exists.
Under the agreement, both organisations will create joint development plans for research, Phase III clinical trials, and market access strategies. A combined project team will oversee trials aimed at registering the treatment in India and other dengue-affected countries, pending successful safety and efficacy results.
Dr André Siqueira, DNDi's dengue program head, emphasised dengue’s status as a rapidly expanding, climate-sensitive disease requiring urgent medical intervention. He highlighted how the partnership combines complementary expertise to ensure equitable access to potentially life-saving treatment for the most vulnerable populations.
The disease’s expanding footprint particularly concerns health officials in India, where tens of thousands of cases occur annually with outbreaks cycling through different states every few years.
Dr Kavita Singh from DNDi noted that dengue is no longer limited to traditional endemic areas but is spreading into previously unaffected regions, requiring comprehensive responses that include improved treatments and diagnostics.
Dr Prasad Kulkarni from SII expressed optimism about the collaboration’s potential to reduce the burden of the disease in vulnerable communities, particularly through expanded trials in Brazil and Southeast Asian countries while maintaining treatment affordability and accessibility.
SII has already completed promising pre-clinical studies and Phase I-II trials for their candidate treatment (previously called VIS513), demonstrating both safety and effectiveness. The company currently leads a pivotal Phase III trial in India for regulatory approval.
The partnership will expand this work through DNDi-led Phase III trials in additional countries. DNDi will handle trial leadership and implementation while SII will provide technical expertise, manufactures clinical supplies, and manage Indian regulatory processes, and domestic commercialisation efforts.
Supporting this effort is the Dengue Alliance, launched in 2022 as a global partnership focused on developing accessible dengue treatments led by institutions from affected countries.
Dengue threatens 3.9 billion people worldwide, with cases more than doubling annually since 2021. Climate change and urbanisation are driving the disease into previously unaffected areas, making effective treatments crucial for preventing severe cases and reducing hospital strain during outbreaks.
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