Takeda kicks off trial for Zika vaccine

Takeda Pharmaceutical is testing its Zika virus vaccine candidate, TAK-426, in a Phase 1 clinical trial. The Osaka, Japan-based company’s first trial for the vaccine comes 15 months after the Dept. of Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, awarded it a contract to develop it.

“We are pleased to reach this important milestone, which reflects our commitment to addressing the Zika threat, as well as the significant capabilities of Takeda’s global organization,” Takeda global vaccine business unit president Rajeev Venkayya said. “This progress could not have been possible without the ongoing support of, and collaboration with, BARDA.”

The World Health Organization notes that the virus has spread to more than 84 countries, territories or subnational areas, including the United States. Takeda said that initial data from the trial are expected in 2018, with the aim of beginning Phase 2 studies as soon as possible after if the data supports it.

Takeda said that in addition to its work on the Zika vaccine, it is undertaking vaccine programs to address such illnesses as dengue, norovirus and polio.