UK approves Valneva’s Chikungunya vaccine, Ixchiq, for adult use

UK—The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved Valneva’s chikungunya vaccine, Ixchiq, making it available as a single-dose option for adults.

This approval marks another milestone for the France-based vaccine maker, which has already secured authorizations in the US, the EU, and Canada.

Valneva is now seeking to expand Ixchiq’s use to adolescents aged 12 to 17 in these regions and plans to submit a similar request in the UK.

This development comes shortly after Bavarian Nordic’s chikungunya vaccine, Vimkunya, received a positive recommendation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for marketing authorization.

As both vaccines progress through regulatory approvals, they are now in direct competition to become the first chikungunya vaccine officially indicated for adolescents in the EU.

Industry analysts from GlobalData predict that Ixchiq could generate US$283 million in sales by 2030, highlighting the growing demand for chikungunya vaccines.

The UK’s approval follows earlier authorizations from the US FDA (November 2023), Health Canada (June 2024), and the EMA (July 2024).

Ixchiq’s approval is based on two large clinical studies involving approximately 4,500 adults.

The results showed that 99% of vaccinated participants developed protective antibodies within a month, while those who received a placebo did not.

 Additionally, follow-up data revealed that 97% of vaccinated individuals maintained these antibody levels even two years post-vaccination.

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes fever and severe joint pain.

While most patients recover within a week, some experience chronic joint pain lasting months or even years.

In rare cases, the infection can lead to multi-organ failure and other severe complications. Though the virus is primarily found in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Americas, cases have been reported in southern Europe, where mosquito vectors are present.

Julian Beach, the MHRA’s Interim Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access, emphasized that Ixchiq’s approval aligns with the UK’s broader strategy to strengthen pandemic preparedness.

In August 2023, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) established a Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC) in Porton Down, Wiltshire, where over 200 scientists are working on nearly 100 research projects related to infectious diseases.

Furthermore, in March 2021, a coalition of world leaders, including then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, proposed a global treaty on pandemic preparedness and response.

This initiative was later taken to the World Health Organization (WHO), where negotiations and discussions are ongoing through a member state-led intergovernmental negotiation body.

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