French Company Regains Chikungunya Vaccine Distribution Control

With the global spreading of the Chikungunya virus expected to continue in 2026, Valneva SE and Serum Institute of India today announced that they have mutually agreed to discontinue their license agreement for Valneva's IXCHIQ® single-shot chikungunya vaccine.

As of December 31, 2025, 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.

According to the European Medicines Agency, IXCHIQ was shown to be effective at triggering the production of antibodies against the chikungunya virus in two primary studies. This is expected to reduce the risk of getting this mosquito-transmitted disease caused by the Chikungunya virus.

Supporting access to the vaccine in low-and middle-income countries falls within the framework of the funding agreement Valneva signed with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations in July 2024, with co-funding from the European Union.

Currently, the U.S. CDC has issued various Travel Health Notices for Chikungunya outbreaks, including a Level 2 alert for China in mid-December 2025.

The CDC advises international travelers to speak with a travel vaccine consultant regarding immunization options before visiting outbreak areas in 2026.