Dengue vaccine tested on Indian adults

The world's first dengue vaccine CYD-TDV has passed the crucial India test and could be available in the country as early as by the end of next year.

The vaccine makers Sanofi Pasteur revealed that their first study of the vaccine on Indian adults (aged 18-45 years) across five sites in India — Delhi, Ludhiana, Bangalore, Pune and Kolkata found the vaccine "safe and immunogenic in Indian adults" with results comparable to other clinical studies in Asia.

The study showed that 87% of Indian adults in the trial were positive to dengue at enrolment, confirming the significant endemic nature of the vector borne disease in the country.

Sanofi is in contact with the Indian authorities to assess the best registration pathway for this vaccine. Based on the positive results from two phase III studies conducted in 10 countries across Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Sanofi will prepare to submit the vaccine for licensure in endemic countries in the first quarter of 2015.

Dengue is a threat to nearly half of the world's population. It is endemic in over 100 countries. One person is hospitalized every single minute with dengue.