Bavarian Nordic A/S Expands Partnership With Serum Institute Of India Pvt. Ltd. Through New Manufacturing Agreement For CHIKV VLP Chikungunya Vaccine

Bavarian Nordic A/S announced an expansion of its strategic partnership with Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. through a new contract manufacturing agreement that includes a full technology transfer of the manufacturing process for its chikungunya vaccine, CHIKV VLP. The transfer will enable large-scale production at Serum Institute of India, positioning both companies to meet future demand in low- and middle-income countries where chikungunya remains a persistent public health threat. 

This new agreement builds on the existing mpox vaccine licensing and manufacturing collaboration between the two companies and replaces Bavarian Nordic’s earlier arrangement with Biological E. Limited. As part of the expanded relationship, the companies will also explore potential future co-development initiatives.

Paul Chaplin, President and CEO of Bavarian Nordic, described the strengthened partnership as an important step in ensuring broader global access to the chikungunya vaccine. He noted that combining Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine technology with the large-scale manufacturing capabilities of Serum Institute of India will help secure reliable supply for regions where outbreaks continue to occur.

CHIKV VLP is a single-dose, prefilled, adjuvanted recombinant protein vaccine designed for active immunization against chikungunya virus in individuals aged 12 years and older. It is intended to generate a strong immune response, with protective immunity beginning to develop as early as one week after vaccination. Because the vaccine contains no viral genetic material, it is non-infectious and cannot cause disease, making it suitable for widespread use.

Marketed under the name Vimkunya®, CHIKV VLP received regulatory approval in 2025 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Commission, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Reviews are ongoing in Switzerland and Canada as the company works to extend global access to the vaccine.

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that has expanded significantly over the past two decades, spreading across Asia, Africa, and the Americas and now identified in more than 110 countries. Outbreaks are often unpredictable and can impact both local populations and international travelers. 

Typical symptoms include fever, rash, fatigue, and severe joint pain that can be debilitating. While most patients recover, an estimated 30–40% may experience chronic joint-related symptoms that persist for months or years. As of December 2025, global reports recorded nearly 500,000 chikungunya cases and more than 200 deaths, with Brazil accounting for more than half of all reported cases and fatalities. Health experts believe the true numbers are likely higher, as chikungunya is frequently underreported and can be misdiagnosed as dengue due to similar symptoms.