 |
Dengue fever is an acute vector-borne infectious disease caused by the dengue virus and transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes (mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). After infection, patients exhibit a diverse range of clinical symptoms, from asymptomatic infection and mild nausea or vomiting to severe joint pain, fulminant encephalitis, and even fatal shock and hemorrhagic fever. As a major challenge in global public health, the threat of dengue fever cannot be ignored: According to the 2024 World Health Organization (WHO) report, approximately 14.43 million cases of dengue fever were recorded globally, including 7.71 million laboratory-confirmed cases, 52,700 severe cases, and 11,200 deaths, placing a heavy burden on public health systems and socioeconomic development. Currently, dengue fever cases are widespread globally, with the Americas region being particularly severe. Approximately 4 billion people worldwide live in areas at risk of dengue exposure, with a potentially vast population under threat. Notably, there are currently no specific therapeutic drugs for dengue fever, nor have any domestic vaccines been approved for market, with prevention and control efforts still centered on avoiding mosquito bites.
This exclusive global licensing agreement between Junshi Biosciences and the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences for a tetravalent recombinant dengue fever vaccine brings new hope for dengue prevention and control. This tetravalent recombinant vaccine can simultaneously and evenly cover the four serotypes DENV1-DENV4, avoiding shortcomings of live attenuated vaccines, such as uneven immunity caused by differences in growth and replication between serotypes, the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement leading to severe disease, and limited applicability in certain populations. It is expected to provide comprehensive immune protection for populations at risk of exposure. The collaboration will integrate the virology research strengths of the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences with Junshi Biosciences’ research and development translation capabilities, building on the successful experience of both parties in the antiviral field. This will accelerate the filling of the domestic gap in dengue fever vaccines and provide a Chinese solution to the international community, demonstrating the global responsibility of China’s biopharmaceutical enterprises.
About Junshi Biosciences
Junshi Biosciences (688180.SH, 1877.HK), founded in December 2012, is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies. Leveraging its exceptional capabilities in innovative drug discovery, robust biotechnology research and development, and large-scale production, the company has successfully developed a competitive portfolio of drugs and established a pipeline with a tiered structure, covering therapeutic areas such as malignant tumors, autoimmune diseases, chronic metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases. Its innovation fields encompass cutting-edge directions including monoclonal antibodies, small molecules, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), bispecific/multispecific antibodies, fusion proteins, nucleic acid-based drugs, and vaccines. To date, the company has commercialized five products domestically or internationally, including the PD-1 inhibitor toripalimab (Tuoyi®), which was independently developed in China and approved in over 40 countries and regions worldwide, including China, the United States, and Europe.
With the mission of “providing patients with world-class, trustworthy innovative drugs at affordable prices,” Junshi Biosciences is rooted in China and has a global presence. Currently, the company employs nearly 3,000 people worldwide, primarily located in Maryland, USA, and Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing, and Guangzhou, China.
Official website: www.junshipharma.com
Official WeChat: Junshi Biosciences