Valneva Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Valneva (NasdaqGS:VALN) - **Industry**: Vaccine development and infectious diseases - **Headquarters**: Vienna, Austria; incorporated in France - **Employees**: Approximately 700 - **Manufacturing Locations**: Scotland and Sweden - **Current Products**: Three proprietary vaccines marketed in Europe and North America Key Points Clinical Pipeline - Valneva is developing a Lyme disease vaccine (VLA15) in collaboration with Pfizer, with data readout expected in the first half of 2026 [2][4] - The Phase 3 study involves approximately 9,500 participants, with a 2:1 ratio of North America to Europe, and a 1:1 ratio of placebo to treatment [4] - The vaccine regimen consists of three doses followed by a booster 18 months later [4] Data Readout and Timeline - Pfizer revised the guidance for the top-line data readout from year-end 2025 to the first half of 2026 due to the seasonal nature of Lyme disease cases [5][10] - Despite the delay in data readout, commercialization is still expected to begin in late 2027, ahead of the 2028 tick season [10][30] Efficacy Expectations - Valneva anticipates a potentially higher efficacy profile for VLA15 compared to previous Lyme vaccines, with expectations of 50% efficacy after priming doses and up to 75% after the booster [21][22] - The vaccine's design includes modern, stringent assays to differentiate it from prior vaccines [20] Safety Profile - Previous clinical trials showed no concerning safety signals, and modifications were made to the vaccine to mitigate potential risks associated with arthritis observed in earlier vaccines [23][24] Regulatory Pathway - Regulatory submissions to the FDA and EMA are expected in mid-2026, with approval anticipated in early to mid-2027 [25][30] - The vaccine has fast-track designation and is expected to undergo priority review [39][40] Market Opportunity - Pfizer estimates the global market opportunity for the Lyme vaccine to exceed $1 billion annually, with Valneva set to receive tiered royalties between 14% and 22% [44][45] - Milestone payments are expected upon first commercial sales, with potential sales milestones of up to $100 million [46] Other Products and Developments - Valneva is also working on IXCHIQ, a chikungunya virus vaccine, which is currently suspended by the FDA due to safety concerns, with no clear path forward defined yet [49][50] - IXIARO, a Japanese encephalitis vaccine, is experiencing growth driven by increased travel to endemic areas, with expectations for improved gross margins as production scales up [61] Future Expectations - The company anticipates significant updates regarding the Shigella vaccine program by the end of the year, with initial efficacy data expected in early 2026 [67][75] - Valneva projects annual product sales between EUR 155 million and EUR 170 million, indicating a healthy base business [78]