Pharmaceutical companies Zydus Cadila and Takeda collaborate on chikungunya vaccine creation, since a global health threat that impacts millions of inhabitants in Asia lacks specific solutions.

Indian drug maker Zydus Cadila has signed a deal with Japanese Takeda Pharmaceutical to develop a vaccine for chikungunya, a virus borne illness transmitted through mosquito bite. The vaccine will move an initial phase to a final commercial stage through this association, thus potentially opening up answers to this long-ignored disease.

Since 2005, more than 1.9 million people in countries across Asia, including India, Indonesia, and Thailand, have reported cases of chikungunya spread through Aedes mosquitoes. This virus brings fever, joint pain, and rash, with long-term symptoms associated.  it commonly affects the young, the elderly and anyone with other underlying illnesses in the population.

Currently they have no cure or immunization against chikungunya although research is being done to find one. Treatment is based on symptom relief only. Cadila and Takeda aim to enhance the access to medicines and give the world a vital vaccine.