Vaccines Today—January 23, 2026

This week’s updates cover key advancements in clinical trials, regulatory actions, and strategic acquisitions, shaping the future of healthcare and treatment options.

In Today’s Newsletter

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🦟 Valneva Chikungunya vaccine update [1] [20 Jan 2026]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/01/20/tmt-newswire/globenewswire/valneva-provides-update-on-chikungunya-vaccine-ixchiq/2261291/amp
Context: The adverse event occurred outside the US involving a young adult who received IXCHIQ® with two other vaccines.
Key point: Valneva voluntarily withdraws IXCHIQ® BLA and IND in the US following FDA clinical hold due to a serious adverse event.
Implication: The move reflects ongoing evaluations of the vaccine’s global potential and regulatory hurdles.

💉 Immunomic Therapeutics ITI-5000 FDA clearance [2] [19 Jan 2026]

https://www.thebionews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=21603
Context: ITI-5000 combines with pembrolizumab in a clinical trial targeting TNBC, an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options.
Key point: ITI-5000, an saRNA-based anticancer vaccine, cleared by the FDA for Phase 1 trials to treat triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Implication: The trial could lead to a new immunotherapy option for TNBC patients, particularly with the use of pembrolizumab.

🧬 Merck & Moderna melanoma vaccine data [3] [20 Jan 2026]

https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/merck-moderna-cancer-vaccine-sustains-49-melanoma-risk-reduction-5-years
Context: The Phase 2b study followed patients with high-risk melanoma after surgery, showing durable benefits from the vaccine.
Key point: Combining Merck’s Keytruda with Moderna’s Intismeran shows sustained 49% risk reduction in melanoma recurrence at 5 years.
Implication: These long-term results provide strong evidence of the vaccine’s potential in reducing melanoma recurrence.

🤝 Sanofi–Dynavax acquisition [4] [20 Jan 2026]

https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/view/sanofi-acquires-dynavax-for-2-2-billion-to-bolster-vaccine-portfolio
Context: The acquisition strengthens Sanofi’s vaccine portfolio with promising candidates in adult immunization, including a competitive shingles vaccine.
Key point: Sanofi to acquire Dynavax for $2.2 billion, gaining its adult hepatitis B vaccine Heplisav-B and shingles candidate Z-1018.
Implication: This deal solidifies Sanofi’s vaccine leadership and expands its offerings in the aging population.

💰 Pfizer-Novavax deal [5] [20 Jan 2026]

https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/pfizer-pens-530m-deal-use-novavaxs-vaccine-adjuvant-tech-2-programs
Context: Matrix-M is designed to enhance immune responses, and Pfizer plans to apply it to two undisclosed disease areas.
Key point: Pfizer secures $530 million deal to use Novavax’s Matrix-M adjuvant technology in two vaccine programs.
Implication: The partnership highlights Novavax’s potential and strengthens Pfizer’s position in vaccine development.

🧪 Invivyd Long COVID Phase 2 study [6] [20 Jan 2026]

https://investors.invivyd.com/news-releases/news-release-details/invivyd-and-spear-study-group-announce-plan-phase-2-study
Context: The trial will assess VYD2311’s safety and efficacy in treating individuals with persistent symptoms from COVID or vaccine-related injury.
Key point: Invivyd and the SPEAR Study Group announce a Phase 2 trial of VYD2311 for Long COVID and COVID vaccine injury, set to begin mid-2026.
Implication: If successful, the trial could provide much-needed treatments for patients suffering from Long COVID and post-vaccine complications.

🦠 Ovarian cancer vaccine combo [7] [20 Jan 2026]

https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/novel-vaccine-combo-shows-responses-in-recurrent-epithelial-ovarian-cancer
Context: The Phase 1b/2 PESCO trial demonstrated clinical activity and favorable safety, with potential for future use in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.
Key point: Maveropepimut-S, combined with pembrolizumab and cyclophosphamide, showed 40% objective response rate (ORR) and 90% disease control rate (DCR) in recurrent ovarian cancer.
Implication: This promising combination could provide new treatment options for ovarian cancer patients who have relapsed after platinum-based therapies.

💡 Infinitopes cancer vaccine funding [8] [21 Jan 2026]

https://european-biotechnology.com/latest-news/oxford-based-cancer-vaccine-company-infinitopes-closes-35-million-seed-round/
Context: ITOP1 targets tumor antigens presented to the immune system, aiming to reduce post-surgical recurrence in cancer patients.
Key point: Infinitopes raises $35 million to support its VISTA trial of ITOP1, a precision cancer vaccine for oesophageal cancer.
Implication: The funding will help advance this novel cancer vaccine platform, which could significantly impact recurrence prevention strategies.

Why it matters

Regulatory scrutiny and safety monitoring remain critical constraints on global vaccine deployment.
Next-generation cancer vaccines are expanding into multiple solid tumor types with combination strategies.
Personalized and off-the-shelf immunotherapy vaccines show growing potential for durable disease control.
Adjuvant and platform technologies are becoming key competitive differentiators in vaccine pipelines.
Emerging indications such as Long COVID are opening new frontiers for therapeutic vaccination.

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FAQ

What’s the significance of Valneva’s chikungunya vaccine withdrawal?

Valneva’s decision to withdraw its chikungunya vaccine application in the US highlights regulatory challenges in vaccine development, with adverse events influencing the market trajectory. The company is exploring alternative pathways for global development.

What makes Immunomic’s ITI-5000 promising for breast cancer?

ITI-5000 utilizes a novel saRNA-based platform to trigger multi-layered immune responses, offering potential as a combination therapy with pembrolizumab for triple-negative breast cancer, a subtype with limited treatment options.

What are the implications of the Merck & Moderna melanoma vaccine?

The vaccine’s long-term efficacy in reducing melanoma recurrence signals a promising future for personalized cancer vaccines, particularly when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors like Keytruda.

How does Pfizer’s partnership with Novavax benefit its vaccine pipeline?

Pfizer’s use of Novavax’s Matrix-M adjuvant technology strengthens its ability to enhance immune responses, supporting future vaccine development in diverse disease areas.

Entities / Keywords

Valneva; Chikungunya; Immunomic Therapeutics; ITI-5000; Pembrolizumab; Merck; Moderna; Cancer Vaccine; Sanofi; Dynavax; Z-1018; Pfizer; Novavax; Matrix-M; Long COVID; Invivyd; SPEAR Study Group; Maveropepimut-S; Ovarian Cancer; Infinitopes.