Part of the Solution: How Recombinant Albumin Supports the World’s First Chikungunya Vaccine 

Sartorius Is Part of the Solution

_{^{This article is posted on Sartorius Blog.}}

Specialty vaccine company Valneva has developed the world’s first FDA-approved vaccine against the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus. Read here about the critical role recombinant albumin from Albumedix, now part of Sartorius, plays as part of the solution.

Discovered already in 1952 in Tanzania, the chinkungunya virus may still be unknown to many. Since 2005, however, over two million cases of chinkungunya infections have been reported, according to the World Health Organization. Its flu-like symptoms and severe joint pain can last for months. In rare cases, it can even be fatal. Mosquitoes transmit the tropical virus, which originated in Africa and Asia, and is now increasingly spreading northwards due to climate change. Until recently, there was no vaccine available. That has now changed.

According to the WHO, over two million cases of chinkungunya infections have been reported since 2005.

First Vaccine Available

In November 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the world’s first vaccine, against the chikungunya virus, IXCHIQ^®. The European Medecines Agency recommended approval at the end of May 2024; next step ist the official authorization by the European Commission. Approval is also underway in further countries, for example Canada and Brazil.

IXCHIQ^® was developed by Valneva, which develops, manufactures, and commercializes vaccines for infectious diseases addressing unmet medical needs – and is a Sartorius customer. Valneva’s IXCHIQ^® is the only protection against chinkungunya infection for people travelling to or living in areas, where the virus is endemic.