India is set to get its first dengue vaccine. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has signed an exclusive distribution deal with Japan’s Takeda to bring Qdenga to the Indian private market in the first half of 2027.

Qdenga (TAK-003) is a live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine that covers all four dengue virus types. India’s drug regulator approved it in July 2026 for people aged 4 to 60. It is given as two 0.5 ml doses, three months apart.

No pre-vaccination screening is needed, as the vaccine can be used regardless of prior dengue infection, the company said. Dr Reddy’s will handle private-market distribution, while Takeda retains rights for the public market.

“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 of Global Generics at Dr Reddy’s.

Takeda also has a manufacturing tie-up with Hyderabad-based Biological E, which plans to produce up to five crore doses a year. Dengue cases in India have risen sharply over two decades, making prevention a public health priority.