Valneva SE, a specialty vaccine developer, has partnered with the Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by doses, to introduce Valneva’s single-dose chikungunya vaccine in Asia.
The agreement aims to tackle the urgent public health need posed by India’s ongoing chikungunya outbreak, which has seen nearly 370,000 cases reported since 2019, with numbers surging in 2024. The partnership is part of a $41.3 million funding initiative led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and co-funded by the European Union.
SII will complete the manufacturing process and secure regulatory approvals for the vaccine in India and other Asian countries. Future commercialization will operate on a profit-sharing model, with Valneva receiving milestone payments for technology transfer and approvals.
Valneva CEO Thomas Lingelbach emphasized the urgency of the collaboration, stating, “The outbreak in India highlights the need for global action against chikungunya. SII’s infrastructure and reach in Asia make them an ideal partner to bring this life-saving vaccine to affected regions.”
SII CEO Adar Poonawalla added, “This partnership reflects our commitment to providing accessible and effective vaccines to address critical health challenges in Asia.”
The agreement prioritizes supplying affordable vaccines to low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) in Asia. Additionally, SII will maintain a stockpile of 100,000 doses for CEPI to support clinical trials and outbreak response efforts.
Valneva’s chikungunya vaccine is the first of its kind to receive approval in the U.S., Europe, and Canada for adults aged 18 and above, with ongoing reviews to expand its use to those 12 and older. Supported by CEPI and the EU, Valneva has previously partnered with Brazil’s Instituto Butantan to expand access in the Americas.
CEPI CEO Dr. Richard Hatchett hailed the collaboration as a milestone, stating, “This initiative strengthens regional health security and ensures equitable access to the vaccine for vulnerable populations in Asia.”
As reported by medicaldialogues, the rollout marks a critical step in combating chikungunya as climate change exacerbates the virus’s spread across the region.