Dr Reddy’s Signs Deal to Bring Takeda’s Qdenga Dengue Vaccine to India
New Delhi, September 18, 2026: India is set to take another step toward expanding dengue prevention after Dr Reddy’s Laboratories entered into an agreement with Japan-based pharmaceutical company Takeda to promote and distribute its Qdenga dengue vaccine in the country.
Under the agreement, Dr Reddy’s will handle promotion and distribution of Qdenga in India’s private healthcare market for both paediatric and adult vaccination. The vaccine is expected to become available during the first half of 2027, subject to the completion of applicable regulatory and local processes.
Qdenga received marketing authorisation from India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in July 2026 for people aged between 4 and 60 years. The approval made it the first dengue vaccine authorised for use in India.
Two-Dose Vaccination Schedule
Qdenga, also known as TAK-003, is a live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine designed to target all four dengue virus serotypes. The vaccination schedule consists of two 0.5 ml doses administered three months apart.
An important feature of the vaccine is that it can be administered without requiring screening for a person’s previous dengue infection, according to the reported product information.
Private-Market Rollout Planned
The newly announced arrangement initially focuses on India’s private healthcare market. Takeda will retain rights related to promotion and distribution of Qdenga in the public market.
The companies also plan to work on healthcare-professional engagement and dengue awareness alongside the vaccine’s private-market rollout. Takeda will continue to retain legal ownership and overall medical and brand oversight of the vaccine in India.
Dengue Remains a Major Health Concern
The development comes against the backdrop of a significant dengue burden in India and worldwide. Reuters reported that the World Health Organization recorded a record 14.4 million dengue cases globally in 2024, with 11,201 reported deaths. India accounted for 232,425 reported cases and 233 deaths that year, according to the figures cited in the report.
The dengue virus is transmitted primarily through infected mosquitoes and has four major serotypes. Indian surveillance data cited by the companies indicates that all four serotypes are circulating in different parts of the country.
Availability Expected in 2027
Although Qdenga has already been authorised in several countries, Indian patients will have to wait until the planned 2027 private-market launch. The exact commercial availability will depend on the completion of the required regulatory processes.
The agreement therefore establishes a distribution pathway for India’s first approved dengue vaccine while the two companies prepare for its eventual introduction into the country’s private healthcare sector.
