Dr. Reddy's, Takeda Pharma ink pact to distribute India's first dengue vaccine QDENGA

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While Dr. Reddy’s will exclusively manage private-market distribution, disease awareness, and healthcare professional engagement, Takeda will retain rights for the public market, legal ownership, and overall medical and brand oversight. File | Photo Credit: Reuters

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories on Friday (September 18, 2026) entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company to promote and distribute its dengue vaccine, QDENGA , in India's private market for pediatric and adult vaccination.

Subject to local regulatory processes, the vaccine is expected to be available in the first half of 2027. The vaccine received marketing authorisation by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in July 2026 for individuals aged 4-60 years, Dr. Reddy's said in a press release.

QDENGA, a live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine, aims to strengthen dengue prevention and management by providing broad immune coverage across all four circulating dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4). Administered as a two-dose regimen given three months apart, it is India's first approved dengue vaccine , according to the release.

While Dr. Reddy's will exclusively manage private-market distribution, disease awareness, and healthcare professional engagement, Takeda will retain rights for the public market, legal ownership, and overall medical and brand oversight, it said.

"As the second-largest vaccine player in India, we believe the introduction of India's first approved dengue vaccine is an important development for the country's healthcare landscape," said M. V. Ramana, CEO, Global Generics, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories.

"Through our collaboration with Takeda, we look forward to making QDENGA available to eligible individuals and contributing to efforts aimed at addressing the country's dengue burden," Mr. Ramana said.

Dr. Mahender Nayak, Head of Intercontinental Markets, International Business Unit, Takeda, noted, "In parallel, our private-market collaboration with Dr. Reddy's will help enable timely private-market access for eligible individuals once QDENGA becomes available in India." Approved in 43 countries, QDENGA has seen over 32 million doses distributed globally.

disease prevention / vaccines / Drugs / hospital and clinic / pharmaceutical

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