GC Biopharm Secures CMO Rights for Shingles Vaccine Under Clinical Development

GC Biopharma, a South Korean biopharmaceutical company, has signed an agreement with Curevo Vaccine to secure contract manufacturing (CMO) rights for amezosvatein (CRV-101), a recombinant shingles vaccine currently under clinical development.

Under the terms of the agreement, GC Biopharma will be responsible for producing a portion of the commercial supply of amezosvatein for global markets.

Amezosvatein is an adjuvanted recombinant protein vaccine, similar in format to GSK’s Shingrix, but it uses a synthetic adjuvant designed to reduce local (injection-site pain) and systemic (influenza-like) reactions after vaccination to levels typical of conventional vaccines. The company believes this feature could position the product as a differentiated alternative with a superior tolerability profile.

In fact, amezosvatein demonstrated non- inferior immune system activity in early Phase 2 trials compared to the leading competitor and showed favorable tolerability results. Currently, Curevo Vaccine is conducting an expanded Phase 2 study in 640 adults aged 50 and older. The company aims to complete this trial by 2026 and move directly into Phase 3, paving the way for global commercialization.

“This agreement marks a critical milestone in securing long-term growth drivers for GC Biopharma,” said Huh Eun-Chul, CEO of GC Biopharma. “We will continue to expand our global vaccine business through strategic collaborations and differentiated technologies.”