Valneva Announces FDA’s Decision to Suspend License of Chikungunya Vaccine IXCHIQ® in the U.S.

Company Overview - Valneva SE is a specialty vaccine company focused on developing, manufacturing, and commercializing prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases, addressing unmet medical needs [7] - The company has advanced multiple vaccines from early R&D to approvals and currently markets three proprietary travel vaccines [8] Recent Developments - The FDA has suspended the license for Valneva's chikungunya vaccine IXCHIQ due to four new reports of serious adverse events (SAEs) consistent with chikungunya-like illness, effective immediately [1][2] - This suspension follows the FDA's earlier decision to lift a recommended pause for individuals aged 60 and older, based on an investigation of reported SAEs [2] Financial Impact - IXCHIQ sales contributed €7.5 million to Valneva's total product sales of €91 million in the first half of 2025, with a significant portion attributed to a one-time delivery of vaccine doses for a chikungunya outbreak in La Reunion [4] Commitment to Safety and Access - Valneva is committed to maintaining high safety standards and will continue to engage with health authorities regarding IXCHIQ [3] - The CEO emphasized the company's commitment to providing access to IXCHIQ globally, especially in low-and-middle-income countries affected by chikungunya outbreaks [4] Industry Context - Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne disease that has been identified in over 110 countries, with significant medical and economic burdens expected to grow due to climate change [5][6] - The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted chikungunya as a major public health problem, indicating the ongoing need for effective vaccines [6]