PARIS (Reuters), -French vaccin company Valneva’s shares jumped over 20% after the European Commission approved a deal where it could supply as many as 60 million COVID-19 vaccine candidates in two years.

Valneva is pleased to have secured the eighth deal in this area by the European Union executive body. This comes after a long and difficult road with its COVID-19 vaccination.

Stella Kyriakides, EU health commissioner, stated that the Valneva vaccine “adds another option to this broad portfolio once it has been proven safe and effective to us by European Medicines Agency (EMA).” It is important to trust the science and continue to vaccinate.

Valneva indicated that VLA2001 Inactivated Vaccine delivery is scheduled to start in April 2022. This will depend on EMA approval.

This company believes that their candidate uses traditional technology rather than the mRNA vaccinations and could offer a safer option to Europeans reluctantly vaccinated.

Last month, Valneva stated that the drug had shown efficacy at least as well, if no better, than AstraZeneca’s (NASDAQ:). In a trial late in stage comparing both, there were significantly fewer side effects.

According to the European Commission the agreement with Valneva gives the EU member countries the opportunity to acquire nearly 27 millions doses by 2022.

In 2023, member states may place an additional order up to 33 millions of vaccines.

It is possible to modify the vaccine for new strains.

Thomas Lingelbach, Chief Executive of Valneva, stated in a statement that “We are grateful for the European Commission’s support” and was eager to address the continuing pandemic.

After the European Commission stated in April that there were no conditions for a deal, Valneva will now have some relief. In September, Britain ended a deal for 100 million doses, citing concerns it may not be approved.

Although Valneva shares suffered several setbacks, they have risen by 175% in the first year.