Hyderabad-based Biological E Limited collaborates with Bavarian Nordic to expand Chikungunya vaccine availability

The partnership comprises a technology transfer of the current drug product manufacturing process for the Chikungunya Vaccine, with the option to transfer the drug substance process at a later stage

Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based Biological E. Limited (BE) on Tuesday announced a strategic partnership with Denmark-based Bavarian Nordic A/S to expand access to Bavarian Nordic’s Chikungunya Vaccine in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).

The partnership comprises a technology transfer of the current drug product manufacturing process for the Chikungunya Vaccine, with the option to transfer the drug substance process at a later stage. To that effect, the companies have reached an agreement to expand their capacity to provide future supplies to endemic low- and middle-income countries.

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The initial technology transfer would be followed by regulatory approval applications and commencement of commercial manufacturing thereafter.

BE’s existing facilities in Genome Valley, Hyderabad will be augmented to make the Chikungunya Vaccine. The manufacturing of Chikungunya Vaccine at BE is expected to generate up to 300 new jobs, a press release said.

Mahima Datla, MD, Biological E. Limited, said, “The scale of our manufacturing and successful track record in providing global access to vaccines is synergistically aligned with Bavarian Nordic via this strategic partnership.”

“Expanding supply is a prerequisite for our ability to address the increasing need for solutions to prevent Chikungunya in vulnerable populations in endemic regions, and we are dedicated to pursuing strong partnerships that can help us achieve this goal,” said Paul Chaplin, President & CEO of Bavarian Nordic.

CHIKV VLP is an adjuvanted VLP recombinant protein vaccine for active immunisation for the prevention of disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in individuals 12 years and older.

Because VLPs contain no virus genetic material, the vaccine cannot infect cells, reproduce or cause disease. In February 2025, the USFDA approved VIMKUNYA (CHIKV VLP) as the first chikungunya vaccine for persons as young as 12 years. The approval was based on results from two phase 3 clinical trials which enrolled more than 3,500 healthy individuals 12 years of age and older.