SEOUL, October 13 (AJP) - South Korea's GC Biopharma said Monday it has secured contract manufacturing rights for a shingles vaccine being developed by its U.S. affiliate, Curevo Vaccine.
Under the agreement, GC Biopharma will produce part of the commercial supply of the vaccine, known by its project name amezosvatein (CRV-101). The product aims to challenge GlaxoSmithKline’s Shingrix, which has dominated the shingles vaccine market for years.
The global market for shingles vaccines has expanded rapidly, driven by aging populations and rising awareness of preventive care. Since Shingrix’s commercial launch in 2018, annual sales have grown nearly 20 percent each year, from roughly 1 trillion won ($730 million) in 2017 to about 6 trillion won ($4.4 billion) in 2024.
The GSK vaccine accounted for more than 90 percent of global market share last year, with sales exceeding 5 trillion won ($3.4 billion).
Amezosvatein, like Shingrix, is a recombinant protein vaccine with an adjuvant designed to boost immune response. But Curevo’s version uses a synthetic adjuvant, which researchers say may reduce injection site pain and systemic reactions — potentially improving patient tolerability.
Early Phase 2 trials have shown that amezosvatein achieved non-inferiority to existing products while demonstrating favorable safety results, according to GC Biopharma. Curevo is now conducting an expanded Phase 2 trial involving 640 adults aged 50 and older, with plans to complete the study by 2026 and advance to Phase 3 thereafter.
“This agreement marks a significant milestone in securing GC Biopharma’s long-term growth drivers,” said CEO Huh Eun-chul. “We will continue to expand our presence in the global vaccine business and strengthen our role in high-value biopharmaceutical manufacturing.”
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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