Curevo Secures $110M for Amezosvatein Shingles Vaccine Development

Curevo Vaccine, a private biotechnology firm specializing in vaccines for the varicella zoster virus (VZV), has successfully closed a $110 million Series B funding round. This new investment aims to further the development of amezosvatein, a promising vaccine for shingles, characterized by improved tolerability.

The funding round was led by Medicxi, an investment firm with a strong focus on biotechnology, particularly in vaccine development. Joining them were other prominent investment groups such as OrbiMed, HBM Healthcare Investments, and Sanofi Ventures. Existing investors like RA Capital Management, Janus Henderson Investors, Adjuvant Capital, and GC Biopharma also participated.

Curevo's CEO, George Simeon, expressed optimism, stating that the funds will expand their Phase 2 clinical program. They plan to involve 640 additional participants, focusing on adults over 70, to refine the vaccine's dosage before embarking on a Phase 3 trial. This extension is expected to start in mid-2025, aiming to set the stage for clinical and regulatory advancements.

Significantly, the company announced that Moncef Slaoui, who played a pivotal role in the COVID-19 vaccine development as Chief Scientific Advisor to Operation Warp Speed, will join Curevo as Board Chair. Dr. Slaoui brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at GlaxoSmithKline, where he contributed to the creation of several vaccines, including Shingrix for shingles.

Dr. Slaoui expressed his enthusiasm in collaborating with Curevo, noting the potential of amezosvatein to offer excellent efficacy combined with enhanced tolerability. He emphasized the importance of this balance in achieving a successful shingles vaccine.

Giovanni Mariggi from Medicxi, who has joined Curevo’s Board of Directors, reinforced the market's need for a new shingles vaccine. He highlighted amezosvatein's attributes, which make it a credible candidate for a significant position in the global market, emphasizing the streamlined path to approval.

Additionally, Tal Zaks from OrbiMed, known for his previous role at Moderna, is joining Curevo's board. Dr. Zaks acknowledged the strategic advantage of amezosvatein's optimized TLR4 agonist, which promises better tolerability, thereby potentially positioning it as the preferred option for shingles prevention.

Amezosvatein, identified as CRV-101, is a non-mRNA adjuvanted subunit vaccine targeting the shingles virus. It employs the glycoprotein 'E' (gE) antigen, similar to Shingrix, known for invoking a durable immune response. The vaccine's adjuvant, developed by the Access to Advanced Health Institute in Seattle, is designed to offer high efficacy with improved tolerability.

Curevo, based near Seattle, is committed to reducing the burden of infectious diseases by developing vaccines that are not only effective but also more tolerable and accessible. Their lead product, amezosvatein, addresses the challenges within the existing $4 billion shingles vaccine market, particularly issues related to accessibility and vaccine hesitancy due to tolerability concerns.

The Series B funding will enhance Curevo's capability to advance amezosvatein toward regulatory approval, potentially reshaping the landscape of shingles vaccination by offering a more tolerable and equally effective alternative.