Dr Reddy's Launches Hevaxin Hepatitis E Vaccine In India

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has launched Hevaxin, a recombinant vaccine for the prevention of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in India, addressing a long-standing public health gap in the country.

The company indicated that Hevaxin is the sole vaccine against hepatitis E vaccine granted authorization by Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) and is suggested to conduct active immunisation against HEV infection among adults aged 18 to 65 years.

The introduction is relevant because hepatitis E remains one of the key health issues in India. The World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates that the virus causes annual infections to approximately 20 million people worldwide, 3.4 million of whom become symptomatic and close to 70,000 die annually.

In India alone, hepatitis E causes up to 40 per cent of all cases of acute hepatitis and between 15 and 45 per cent of all cases of acute liver failure, thus the preventive interventions.

Also Read: Apollo partners with Siemens for AI-driven liver health innovation

The company cites clinical studies to indicate that Hevaxin has long-term immunity and demonstrated a favourable safety and tolerability profile. The groups regarded to be at risk of severe infection comprise women of reproductive age, individuals with chronic liver disease, immunocompromised persons, and those undergoing organ transplantation.

M V Ramana, chief executive officer, branded markets (India and emerging markets) at Dr Reddy’s, said “the vaccine addresses a critical unmet need, especially among patients with chronic liver disease who face a high risk of acute-on-chronic liver failure.” He added that the introduction of Hevaxin also supports the government’s National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, aimed at reducing hepatitis-related morbidity and mortality.

The WHO has included the hepatitis E vaccine under the International Coordinating Group (ICG) mechanism. Dr Reddy’s has partnered with Shenzhen Mellow Hope Pharm and Urihk Pharmaceutical for the marketing and distribution of Hevaxin in India.