EMA backs approval of Bavarian Nordic's vaccine for monkeypox disease

The European Medicines Agency’s ’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has recommended extending the indication of the smallpox vaccine Imvanex, developed by Denmark’s Bavarian Nordic (OMX: BAVA), to include protecting adults from monkeypox disease.

Bavarian Nordic, whose shares closed up more than 5% at 334.00 kroner following the EMA announcement, has already signed a number of supply contracts for the vaccine with various European countries. Since May this year, monkeypox has been spreading into Europe and elsewhere, from Nigeria where it is endemic.

Imvanex is marketed as Jynneos in the USA where it is authorized for the prevention of both monkeypox and smallpox.