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Varicella vaccine (VNS)

Phase 3

Chickenpox | Vaccine | Infectious Disease |GSK plc|Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Target and mechanism

ModalityVaccine

Also known as Varicella (Varilrix®), Varicella, Investigational varicella vaccine, Investigational varicella vaccine_Lot 1, Candidate varicella vaccine

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

RandomizedDouble-BlindACTIVE_CONTROLLEDDMC
Total Trials4
Total Enrollment4,101

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

Varicella vaccine (VNS) · 4 trials · 1 indication

Phase 3 4
NCT06806137A Study on the Immune Response and Safety of the Second Dose of an Investigational Chickenpox Vaccine When Given to Healthy Children 3 Months After a First Dose at 12 to 15 Months of AgeChickenpox
RECRUITING600 Analytics
NCT06855160A Study on the Immune Response and Safety of an Investigational Chickenpox Vaccine and a Marketed Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine When Administered as Intramuscular Injection to Healthy Children 12 to 15 Months of AgeChickenpox
RECRUITING911 Analytics
NCT06740630A Study on the Immune Response and Safety of an Investigational Chickenpox Vaccine When Given to Healthy Children 12 to 15 Months of AgeChickenpox
RECRUITING1,840 Analytics
NCT06693895A Study on the Safety of an Investigational Chickenpox Vaccine, When Given to Healthy Children, 12 to 15 Months of AgeChickenpox
RECRUITING750 Analytics
PHASE3RECRUITING
A Study on the Immune Response and Safety of the Second Dose of an Investigational Chickenpox Vaccine When Given to Healthy Children 3 Months After a First Dose at 12 to 15 Months of Age
ChickenpoxUnlock trial analytics
PHASE3RECRUITING
A Study on the Immune Response and Safety of an Investigational Chickenpox Vaccine and a Marketed Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine When Administered as Intramuscular Injection to Healthy Children 12 to 15 Months of Age
ChickenpoxUnlock trial analytics
PHASE3RECRUITING
A Study on the Immune Response and Safety of an Investigational Chickenpox Vaccine When Given to Healthy Children 12 to 15 Months of Age
ChickenpoxUnlock trial analytics
PHASE3RECRUITING
A Study on the Safety of an Investigational Chickenpox Vaccine, When Given to Healthy Children, 12 to 15 Months of Age
ChickenpoxUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Percentage of participants with seroresponse to Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) anti- glycoprotein E (gE) IgG for 2 doses of VNS vaccine compared to 2 doses of VV
At Day 133 (43 days post-dose 2)

Seroresponse is defined as post-vaccination (Day 43 post Dose 2) anti VZV gE Immunoglobulin (IgG) concentration greater than equal to (\>=) 300 milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL).

Geometric Mean Concentration (GMC) of anti-VZV gE IgG for 2 doses of VNS vaccine compared to 2 doses of VV
At Day 133 (within 43 days post-dose 2)

Concentrations of anti-VZV gE IgG are presented as GMC and expressed in mIU/mL for each group.

Percentage of participants with seroresponse to Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) anti- glycoprotein E (gE) Immunoglobulin (IgG)
At Day 43

The seroresponse rate is defined as the percentage of participants for whom the post-vaccination Day 43 anti VZV gE IgG concentration is above the seroresponse threshold.

Geometric Mean Concentration (GMC) of anti-VZV gE IgG
At Day 43

Concentrations of anti-VZV gE IgG are presented as GMC and expressed in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL) for each group.

Percentage of participants with seroresponse to MMR antigens
At Day 43

The seroresponse rate is defined as the percentage of participants for whom the post-vaccination Day 43 anti-measles, mumps, and rubella antibody concentrations are above the seroresponse threshold.

GMC of Anti-measles antibodies
At Day 43
GMC of Anti-mumps antibodies
At Day 43
GMC of Anti-rubella antibodies
At Day 43
Percentage of participants with seroresponse to Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) anti-glycoprotein E (gE) Immunoglobulin (IgG) for the 3 lots of VNS vaccine groups
At Day 43

Seroresponse is defined as post-vaccination (Day 43) anti-VZV gE IgG antibody concentration greater than or equal to (\>=) 300 milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL) among participants who were seronegative \[(antibody concentration less than (\<) LLOQ (Lower limit of quantification)\] before vaccination. A seronegative participant is a participant whose antibody concentration is below the LLOQ of the assay. A seropositive participant is a participant whose antibody concentration is greater than or equal to the LLOQ of the assay.

Geometric Mean Concentration (GMC) of anti-VZV gE IgG for the 3 lots of VNS vaccine groups
At Day 43

Concentrations of anti-VZV gE IgG presented as GMCs and expressed in mIU/mL for each group.

Percentage of participants with seroresponse to anti-VZV gE IgG for the 3 pooled lots of VNS vaccine groups compared with the 2 pooled lots of VV groups
At Day 43

Seroresponse is defined as post-vaccination (Day 43) anti-VZV gE IgG concentration \>= 300 mIU/mL among participants who were seronegative (antibody concentration \< LLOQ) before vaccination. A seronegative participant is a participant whose antibody concentration is below the LLOQ of the assay. A seropositive participant is a participant whose antibody concentration is greater than or equal to the LLOQ of the assay.

GMCs of anti-VZV gE IgG for the 3 pooled lots of VNS vaccine groups compared with the 2 pooled lots of VV groups
At Day 43

Concentrations of anti-VZV gE IgG are presented as GMCs and expressed in mIU/mL for each group.

Percentage of participants reporting each solicited administration site events
Day 1 (post-dose) to Day 4

Solicited administration site events include injection site redness, pain and swelling.

Percentage of participants reporting each solicited systemic event
Day 1 (post-dose) to Day 15

Solicited systemic events include drowsiness, loss of appetite and irritability.

Percentage of participants reporting each solicited systemic event in terms of fever
Day 1 (post-dose) to Day 22

Fever is defined as temperature greater than or equal to (\>=) 38.0°C (100.4°F) by any route (the preferred location for measuring temperature is the axilla).

Percentage of participants reporting solicited systemic events
Day 1 (post-dose) to Day 43

Solicited systemic events includes varicella-like rash (non-injection site), and general rash (not varicella-like).

Percentage of participants reporting unsolicited adverse events (AEs)
Day 1 (post-dose) to Day 43

An unsolicited AE is an AE that was either not included in the list of solicited events or could be included in the list of solicited events but with an onset outside the specified period of follow-up for solicited events.

Percentage of participants reporting medically attended AEs (MAAE)
Day 1 (post-dose) to Day 181 (study end)

A MAAE is an AE for which the participant received medical attention including any symptom or illness requiring hospitalization, or an emergency room visit, or visit to/by a healthcare professional.

Percentage of participants reporting serious adverse events (SAEs)
Day 1 (post-dose) to Day 181 (study end)

A SAE is an AE which results in death, is life-threatening, requires inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, results in disability/incapacity, or other situations that are considered serious per medical or scientific judgment.

Secondary Endpoints

Percentage of participants with seroresponse to anti-VZV gE IgG for VV-VNS group
At Day 133 (within 43 days post-dose 2)
GMC of anti-VZV gE IgG for VV-VNS group
At Day 133 (within 43 days post-dose 2)
Percentage of participants reporting each solicited administration site event
Day 1 (post-dose 1) to Day 4
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingSINGLE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposePREVENTION

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
VV-VV GroupACTIVE_COMPARATORParticipants receive 2 doses of a VV vaccine on Day 1 and Day 91. 1 dose of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, 1 dose of hepatitis A vaccine (HAV), and 1 dose of PCV (either PCV 13 or Vaxneuvance or PCV 20) on Day 1. A second dose of MMR vaccine will be co-administered to the participants in countries where a second dose of MMR is recommended at 15 to 18 months of age, as per national immunization schedule.
VNS-VNS GroupEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive 2 doses of a VNS vaccine on Day 1 and Day 91. 1 doses of MMR vaccine, 1 dose of HAV vaccine, and 1 dose of PCV (either PCV 13, Vaxneuvance or PCV 20) on Day 1. A second dose of MMR vaccine will be co-administered to the participants in countries where second dose of MMR is recommended at 15 to 18 months of age, as per national immunization schedule.
VV-VNS GroupEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive 1 dose of VV vaccine on Day 1, 1 dose of VNS Vaccine on Day 91. 1 doses of MMR vaccine, 1 dose of HAV, and 1 dose of PCV (either PCV 13, Vaxneuvance or PCV 20) on Day 1. A second dose of MMR vaccine will be co-administered to the participants in countries where second dose of MMR is recommended at 15 to 18 months of age, as per national immunization schedule.
VNS+ MMR VaccineEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive 1 dose of the candidate varicella vaccine (VNS vaccine), 1 dose of a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, 1 dose of a hepatitis A virus (HAV vaccine), and 1 dose of PCV (either PCV 13 or Vaxneuvance or PCV 20) on Day 1.
VV+MMR VaccineACTIVE_COMPARATORParticipants receive 1 dose of a Marketed varicella vaccine (VV), 1 dose of a MMR vaccine, 1 dose of a HAV vaccine, and 1 dose of PCV (either PCV 13 or Vaxneuvance or PCV 20) on Day 1.
VNS_Lot 1 GroupEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive 1 dose of the investigational VNS vaccine of Lot 1, 1 dose of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, 1 dose of hepatitis A vaccine (HAV), and 1 dose of PCV (either PCV 13 or Vaxneuvance or PCV 20) on Day 1.
VNS_Lot 2 GroupEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive 1 dose of the investigational VNS vaccine of Lot 2, 1 dose of MMR vaccine, 1 dose of HAV vaccine, and 1 dose of PCV (either PCV 13 or Vaxneuvance or PCV 20) on Day 1.
VNS_Lot 3 GroupEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive 1 dose of the investigational VNS vaccine of Lot 3, 1 dose of MMR vaccine, 1 dose of HAV vaccine, and 1 dose of PCV (either PCV 13 or Vaxneuvance or PCV 20) on Day 1.
VV_Lot 1 GroupACTIVE_COMPARATORParticipants receive 1 dose of a marketed varicella vaccine (VV) of Lot 1, 1 dose of MMR vaccine, 1 dose of HAV vaccine, and 1 dose of PCV (either PCV 13 or Vaxneuvance or PCV 20) on Day 1.
VV_Lot 2 GroupACTIVE_COMPARATORParticipants receive 1 dose of a marketed VV of Lot 2, 1 dose of MMR vaccine, 1 dose of HAV vaccine, and 1 dose of PCV (either PCV 13 or Vaxneuvance or PCV 20) on Day 1.
VNS GroupEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive 1 dose of a VNS vaccine, 1 dose of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, 1 dose of hepatitis A (HAV) vaccine, and 1 dose of PCV (either PCV 13 or Vaxneuvance or PCV 20) on Day 1.
VV GroupACTIVE_COMPARATORParticipants receive 1 dose of a marketed VV, 1 dose of MMR vaccine, 1 dose of HAV vaccine, and 1 dose of PCV (either PCV 13 or Vaxneuvance or PCV 20) on Day 1.

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
Investigational varicella vaccineBIOLOGICALInvestigational varicella vaccine administered subcutaneously.
Marketed varicella vaccineBIOLOGICALMarketed varicella vaccine administered subcutaneously.
MMR vaccineBIOLOGICALMMR vaccine co-administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly.
Hepatitis A vaccineBIOLOGICALHepatitis A vaccine co-administered intramuscularly.
PCV (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) 13BIOLOGICALThe 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine co-administered intramuscularly. In some countries PCV will only be administered depending on the availability, country's registration status and national recommendations for pneumococcal vaccination at the time of study conduct.
PCV 20BIOLOGICALThe 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine co-administered intramuscularly. In some countries PCV will only be administered depending on the availability, country's registration status and national recommendations for pneumococcal vaccination at the time of study conduct.
VaxneuvanceBIOLOGICALThe Vaxneuvance (15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine co-administered intramuscularly. In some countries PCV will only be administered depending on the availability, country's registration status and national recommendations for pneumococcal vaccination at the time of study conduct.
Candidate varicella vaccineBIOLOGICALInvestigational varicella vaccine administered intramuscularly.
Investigational varicella vaccine_Lot 1BIOLOGICALInvestigational varicella vaccine of Lot 1 administered subcutaneously.
Investigational varicella vaccine_Lot 2BIOLOGICALInvestigational varicella vaccine of Lot 2 administered subcutaneously.
Investigational varicella vaccine_Lot 3BIOLOGICALInvestigational varicella vaccine of Lot 3 administered subcutaneously.
Marketed varicella vaccine_Lot 1BIOLOGICALMarketed varicella vaccine of Lot 1 administered subcutaneously.
Marketed varicella vaccine_Lot 2BIOLOGICALMarketed varicella vaccine of Lot 2 administered subcutaneously.
Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccineBIOLOGICAL1 dose of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine co-administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly.
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range12 Months to 15 Months
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersYes
Study Sites6

Inclusion Criteria: * Participant's parent(s)/Legally acceptable representative (LAR)(s), who, in the opinion of the investigator, can and will comply with the requirements of the protocol * Written or witnessed/thumb printed informed consent obtained from the participant's parent(s)/LAR(s) prior t...

Countries:Dominican RepublicHondurasUnited StatesBelgiumEstoniaGreecePolandRomaniaThailandColombiaCzechiaMexicoPuerto RicoUnited Arab EmiratesBulgariaDenmarkHong KongLithuania
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Frequently asked questions about Varicella vaccine (VNS)

What is the investigational varicella vaccine (VNS) used for?

The investigational varicella vaccine (VNS) is being developed for the prevention of chickenpox (varicella) in healthy children. It is a vaccine candidate studied in children starting at 12 to 15 months of age. It is not yet approved and remains in clinical development.

Who is developing the investigational varicella vaccine (VNS)?

The investigational varicella vaccine (VNS) is being developed by GSK plc, which trades under the ticker GSK. GSK is running the Phase 3 clinical program evaluating the vaccine in healthy children across multiple countries.

What phase is the investigational varicella vaccine (VNS) in?

The investigational varicella vaccine (VNS) is in Phase 3 clinical development. All four of its registered trials are Phase 3 studies, and all four are currently recruiting. The vaccine is investigational and has not been approved for use.

What clinical trials is the investigational varicella vaccine (VNS) in?

Four Phase 3 trials are evaluating the investigational varicella vaccine (VNS): NCT06855160, NCT06806137, NCT06740630, and NCT06693895. Together they plan to enroll about 4,101 healthy children aged 12 months and older. All are randomized, double-blind, and actively controlled, and all are currently recruiting.

Is the investigational varicella vaccine (VNS) the same as Varilrix?

The investigational varicella vaccine (VNS) is also referred to as Varicella (Varilrix) and as a varicella vaccine combined with Haemophilus influenzae Type b conjugate vaccine. It is additionally listed under names such as candidate varicella vaccine and investigational varicella vaccine Lot 1.

How is the investigational varicella vaccine (VNS) studied in children?

The Phase 3 program studies the investigational varicella vaccine (VNS) in healthy children beginning at 12 to 15 months of age. One trial, NCT06806137, evaluates a second dose given three months after the first. The studies assess immune response and safety, with some trials comparing the vaccine against a marketed measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.