Just a month after the FDA approval of its chikungunya vaccine for use in adults at risk of chikungunya virus exposure, Valneva has reported positive antibody persistence data 24 months after vaccination with IXCHIQ. These data are expected to complement the approval by the FDA and support ongoing regulatory approval processes. IXCHIQ is a live-attenuated vaccine that is indicated for the prevention of illness caused by chikungunya virus. Valneva also recently announced that the EMA has performed a technical validation of the Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) for the vaccine candidate, determining that “all essential regulatory elements” were included.
Positive persistence
Valneva states that 97% of the 316 healthy adults that were still enrolled in the trial 24 months after a single-dose vaccination with IXCHIQ “retained neutralising antibody titers above the seroresponse threshold”. Furthermore, the persistence of antibodies in older adults aged 65 and above was “as robust as in younger adults, or even “slightly higher” in terms of geometric mean titers (GMTs) and seroconversion rates (SRRs).
These data follow earlier data demonstrating that a seroresponse rate of 96% six months after vaccination was obtained.
“This outcome underscores the vaccine’s potential to offer strong and lasting protection against chikungunya across different age groups.”
A robust response
Dr Juan Carlos Jaramillo, Chief Medical Officer of Valneva, is “very pleased” about the data, which “confirm IXCHIQ’s ability to induce a robust, long-lasting antibody response in both younger and older adults”. This is achieved with a single dose.
“Being the world’s first approved vaccine against chikungunya, each positive outcome further strengthens the defence against this significant and expanding public health threat.”
We look forward to learning more about how vaccination contributes to global efforts to eradicate chikungunya during the Congress in Washington next year. Will you be joining us there? If not, do make sure that you subscribe for more updates here.
