Valneva (VALN) and the world’s largest vaccine maker, Serum Institute of India, announced on Wednesday that they have mutually agreed to discontinue their licensing agreement for the former’s chikungunya vaccine.
The companies identified the decision as a strategic move aimed at improving vaccine access in regions endemic to chikungunya, which falls within an EU-backed funding agreement Valneva (VALN) has signed with CEPI, a global vaccine alliance.
“Valneva’s strategic intent in regaining full rights is to assume direct control over its supply chain and commercialization for endemic high-risk countries, thereby accelerating access for regions most affected by the disease,” Valneva (VALN) and Serum Institute said.
A mosquito-borne viral disease characterized by severe joint pain persisting for weeks to years, chikungunya is found across more than 110 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
In November 2023, the U.S. FDA approved the French biotech’s (VALN) single-dose shot Ixchiq as the world’s first chikungunya vaccine, only to suspend the authorization in August due to safety concerns.