Valneva Receives First Marketing Authorization for IXCHIQ® in a Chikungunya Endemic Country

Core Insights - Valneva SE has received marketing authorization from Brazil's ANVISA for its single-dose chikungunya vaccine IXCHIQ®, marking the first approval of a chikungunya vaccine in an endemic country [1][2] - The vaccine is part of Valneva's strategy to enhance access in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), supported by CEPI and the EU [1][6] - The approval allows for large-scale clinical trials in Brazil, including Phase 4 trials to gather additional data on vaccine effectiveness [3] Company Developments - IXCHIQ® is already approved in the EU for individuals aged 12 and older and in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. for those aged 18 and older [2] - Valneva is collaborating with Instituto Butantan for local manufacturing and distribution of the vaccine in Brazil, with potential approval for another vaccine candidate, VLA1555, expected in mid-2025 [4] - The company aims to ensure rapid access to its vaccines in Brazil and other regional markets, addressing a significant public health need as Brazil reported over 1 million chikungunya cases since 2019 [5][6] Clinical Trials and Research - Valneva is conducting a Phase 2 trial in children aged 1 to 11 years in the Dominican Republic and Honduras, with positive results reported in January 2025 [7] - A pivotal Phase 3 study in children is expected to begin in Q4 2025, with plans to evaluate the vaccine in pregnant women in outbreak-affected countries [8] Public Health Context - Chikungunya virus, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, has caused significant outbreaks globally, with over 720,000 cases reported in the Americas from January to July 2023 [5][10] - The World Health Organization has identified chikungunya as a major public health issue, with the disease's economic impact expected to grow due to climate change [10]