Bavarian Nordic Collaborates with Biological E Limited to Improve Global Availability of Chikungunya Vaccine
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Bavarian Nordic A/S has partnered with Biological E. Limited (BE) to improve access to its chikungunya vaccine in low- and middle-income countries.
The agreement initially focuses on contract manufacturing, allowing for an increase in production capacity to ensure future supply in regions where chikungunya is prevalent. As part of this collaboration, Bavarian Nordic will transfer technology for the vaccine's filling process, with the option to extend this to bulk production later. Meanwhile, Bavarian Nordic will continue using its own facilities to support vaccine commercialisation in Western markets.
In line with its strategy, Bavarian Nordic is also exploring additional licensing and distribution partnerships to expand vaccine availability beyond the US and Europe. The vaccine recently became the first chikungunya vaccine approved in the US for individuals up to 12 years of age. Additionally, the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended its approval in the EU, paving the way for further regulatory clearances worldwide.
CHIKV VLP, the recombinant vaccine developed using virus-like particle (VLP) technology, provides active immunisation against chikungunya virus. As it does not contain genetic material, it cannot infect cells, reproduce, or cause disease. While further research is needed to fully understand its mechanism of action, the vaccine is believed to work by stimulating the immune system to produce neutralising antibodies, preventing the virus from causing illness. An adjuvant is included to enhance immune response.
In February 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved VIMKUNYA™ (CHIKV VLP) for use in individuals up to 12 years of age. This approval was based on two Phase 3 trials involving over 3,500 participants aged 12 and older. The trials demonstrated that the vaccine induced neutralising antibodies in up to 97.8% of recipients within 21 days of vaccination. Immune responses began developing within a week, and the vaccine was well tolerated, with mostly mild to moderate side effects.
In the EU, final approval is pending a decision from the European Commission following CHMP’s recommendation in January 2025.
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Over the past two decades, it has spread across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, often causing large outbreaks. The virus has been identified in more than 110 countries, with confirmed cases in over 50 countries in the past five years. Symptoms include fever, rash, fatigue, headache, and severe joint pain. While most individuals recover, 30–40% experience chronic symptoms lasting months or even years. In 2024, more than 620,000 cases and over 200 deaths were reported globally. Chikungunya is often underreported and can be misdiagnosed as dengue fever due to similarities in symptoms.
Source: globenewswire.com
