Valneva Withdraws Ixchiq Vaccine Applications Amid FDA Hold
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 20 2026
0mins
Should l Buy PFE?
Source: Benzinga
- Application Withdrawal: Valneva SE has voluntarily withdrawn its Biologics License Application (BLA) and Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the Ixchiq vaccine in the U.S. following the FDA's suspension of the license in August 2025 due to four reports of serious adverse events (SAEs) resembling chikungunya illness.
- Clinical Hold: The FDA has placed the IND for Ixchiq on clinical hold pending an investigation into a newly reported foreign SAE, resulting in no active clinical studies vaccinating participants, which significantly impacts the company's vaccine rollout strategy.
- Safety Assessment: Valneva is actively seeking additional information to further characterize the case related to Ixchiq vaccination, as the case may be plausibly linked to the vaccine, although causality has not been established, potentially affecting public confidence and market acceptance of the vaccine.
- Future Plans: Despite these challenges, Valneva intends to continue discussions with health authorities in all territories where Ixchiq is licensed and plans to advance post-marketing clinical activities, while also looking forward to submitting a Biologics License Application for the Lyme disease vaccine candidate VLA15 in collaboration with Pfizer in 2026.
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Analyst Views on PFE
Wall Street analysts forecast PFE stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for PFE is 28.56 USD with a low forecast of 24.00 USD and a high forecast of 35.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
16 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
11 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 26.490
Low
24.00
Averages
28.56
High
35.00
Current: 26.490
Low
24.00
Averages
28.56
High
35.00
About PFE
Pfizer Inc. is a research-based, global biopharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in the discovery, development, manufacture, marketing, sale and distribution of biopharmaceutical products worldwide. Its Biopharma segment includes the Pfizer U.S. Commercial Division, and the Pfizer International Commercial Division. Its product categories include oncology, primary care and specialty care. Its oncology products include Ibrance, Xtandi, Padcev, Adcetris, Inlyta, Lorbrena, Bosulif, Tukysa, Braftovi, Mektovi, Orgovyx, Elrexfio, Tivdak and Talzenna. Its primary care products include Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, the Prevnar family, Comirnaty, Abrysvo, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, Nimenrix, Trumenba, and Paxlovid. Its specialty care products include Xeljanz, Enbrel (outside the United States and Canada), Inflectra, Abrilada, Cibinqo, Litfulo, Eucrisa, Velsipity, the Vyndaqel family, Genotropin, BeneFIX, Xyntha, Somavert, Ngenla, Hympavzi, Sulperazon, Zavicefta, Octagam and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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