This is a first in the fight against chikungunya. Indeed, while there is no drug providing lasting protection against this disease with a particularly high morbidity rate, the Franco-Austrian group Valneva has just announced promising results during phase 3 trials for its vaccine against chikungunya.
The vaccine generated antibodies in 98.5% of those vaccinated
This Thursday, August 5, 2021, Valneva announced positive results for the phase 3 clinical trial of its chikungunya vaccine. Injected in a single dose to 4,115 adults in the United States, the serum developed by the Franco-Austrian pharmaceutical laboratory generated antibodies in 98.5% of those vaccinated. This exceeds the threshold of seroprotection set at 70% by the FDA (the American Medicines Agency).
In a press release, Valneva specifies that “ the vaccine was also shown to be highly immunogenic including in elderly participants, who achieved seroprotection levels and antibody titers as high as younger adults, with an equally good safety profile “. As for side effects, the pharmaceutical company said they were mild or moderate since only 1.6% of the trial participants mentioned side effects of severe intensity (mostly headaches). These generally ceased within three days.
Hope in the fight against this major public health threat
Currently, Valneva’s serum is the only phase 3 vaccine candidate seeking lasting protection against chikungunya, the virus of which is particularly present in America, as well as in parts of Asia and Africa. While the virus causes clinical illness in 72 to 92% of people infected with a carrier mosquito, Juan Carlos Jaramillo, Chief Medical Officer of Health Valneva welcomed these promising results, saying: “ These first results from a Phase 3 trial for a chikungunya vaccine mean that we have taken another step towards addressing this major, growing and unmet public health threat. “.
The final results of the trial are expected within the next six months. For now, the group has received authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to file a marketing application. In the meantime, the pharmaceutical group has already signed a first agreement with the Brazilian Institute for the future marketing of the vaccine.
