Takeda Seeks Manufacturing Partners for Dengue Fever Vaccine

Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda Pharmaceutical is exploring dengue fever vaccine production in Indonesia. Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia revealed the plan during a meeting with Takeda Pharmaceutical Chief Executive Officer Christophe Weber at the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland, on Jan 19. Bahlil said that Indonesia is a dengue fever endemic country that needs a vaccine to prevent the disease.

Bahlil appreciated Takeda's efforts to develop a dengue vaccine and its investment in Indonesia since 1971. "We encourage Takeda not only to import the vaccine but also produce it in Indonesia," Bahlil said. The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has approved Takeda for using Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine (TAK-003) for dengue fever in people aged 6-45. The Investment Ministry will also bring together local partners with Takeda. Meanwhile, Weber said the company needs an appropriate local partner to produce a dengue vaccine in Indonesia.