Eye Diseases

BEIJING, Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- When Yong Yong (pseudonym) navigates through the bustling exhibition hall, a soothing voice whisperers in his ear, guiding him past obstacles and pointing out objects in his path. Wearing a special pair of glasses, Yong Yong walks around on his own, overwhelmed by a newfound sense of freedom and independence - "as if I was not blind," he said with a smile. Yong Yong, 30, was born with severe visual impairment. As his eyes can perceive only faint light, in the past decades, Yong Yong has rarely visited public places without his crutches. But now, he can walk almost as unaided as people with regular sound and vision, being able to avoid obstacles with the help of the glasses on his nose, which can dynamically recognize the objects around and remind him by voice. These special glasses were one of highlight products being showcased at a recent exhibition of innovative auxiliaries for the people with disabilities. At the exhibition, which was held in South China's Guangdong Province in May, many Chinese tech firms brought the AI products they developed specifically for people with disabilities, expecting to equip those in need with AI-powered "eyes" "ears" "mouths" or "limbs." Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that there had been 85.9 million people with disabilities in China by 2023. The rapid development of China's AI technology is trying to reduce the inconvenience of people with disabilities in this country, and help them to live as able-bodied individuals to the maximum extent. "As a developer of AI products, I deeply feel about the tremendous changes AI technology is bringing to the lives of people with disabilities," said Li An, whose team developed the glasses trialed by Yong Yong at the May exhibition. "Every time I see our products truly helping them, I feel doubly gratified and proud," Li told the Global Times. Feeling connected Li is the director of a Chinese tech startup named Shenzhen Bixin AI Company, which spent more than six months in developing the "vision-helper AI glasses," with the aim to enable visually impaired people to "see" surroundings when walking alone on the street. Based on large language and auditory models, the glasses, equipped with hardware including a microphone, speaker and camera, possesses human-like abilities of hearing, speaking, and seeing. By taking photos or directly asking questions to the glasses, a user can clearly know the objects around, such as obstructions on the road, the names of the road, roadside stores and bus stations, and even the plants in the flower beds, Li explained. So far, more than 100 users have experienced the glasses, which, as some of them said, was like "a useful and convenient assistant." Li said the current 1.0 version of the glasses can only provide information based on questions, but it is expected to be developed into "a 2.0 version that has a real-time voice reminding function" in the near future. On many occasions, Li invited people with a visual impairment to try the glasses, collected their feedback, and drove them home in person. He said he is delighted to see AI products help visually impaired people become more independent in their life. "Moreover, AI technologies promote their connection to the world," Li told the Global Times. "AI not only offers them conveniences, but also brings them dignity and more opportunities to participate in social activities on an equal footing." For individuals with visual or hearing impairments, AI can serve as a new window for them to get closer to people, and feel more connected to the world they live, he said. In 2023, China's tech giant NetEase, together with a welfare foundation for people with disabilities, launched a "Life's First Words" voice restoration program. By uploading a two-minute voice clip without complete semantics, the hearing-impaired users can have their words spoken in their own voices through AI-generated speech based on typed text. According to a NetEase report in 2023, this product is available in China for hearing-impaired individuals free of charge, helping them to communicate with the world without barriers and share their emotions by saying their "first words." A survey showed that 67 percent of the people with hearing impairment were willing to try this voice restoration technology, reported Qianjiang Evening News in July 2023. "They said, their 'life's first words' would be 'Thank you.'" Small groups matter Apart from benefiting people with disabilities, a number of Chinese AI products and technologies are also trying hard to relieve burden for their families, particularly those who have to spend a lot of time and energy looking after their loved ones, and those who have lost the ability to care for themselves. The "Ice Bucket Challenge," a previous viral social media campaign that involved dumping a bucket of ice water over their heads, raised public awareness for the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and brought wide attention to sufferers of the condition. ALS is severe progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to the loss of muscle control and eventually paralysis. With the gradual development of the disease, the patients gradually lose their speech and mobility. Severe patients have difficulty in breathing, swallowing and expectoration, which may lead to death if not treated in time. For the caregivers of ALS patients, they have to check the patient's breathing status every once in a while (even as short as half an hour or 10 minutes in the late stage of the disease). This creates a heavy burden for both patients and their caregivers. Some Chinese tech enterprises have tried to make a change, by designing AI-powered uninterrupted and meticulous care systems specifically for ALS patients and their families. AI software company SenseTime, for instance, is among the first in domestic AI industry that developed an intelligent nursing system that provides 24-hour contactless care for ALS patients. Apart from monitoring the physiological indexes of patients in real time, the system is equipped with functions including emergency warning, active calling, sleep analysis, and abnormal statistical detection, introduced Sun Qigong, director of the system's program. Based on computer vision technology, the system can keenly capture the painful expressions of patients who have lost speech and mobility, and timely notify nursing staff to deal with the critical situation within three seconds to avoid the risk of patients' lives, Sun said. "Every alert from the system could potentially save a life," Sun told the Global Times. The system had been applied on a philanthropic basis across more than 60 families among 17 Chinese provinces and regions as of the end of 2023, according to Sun. "We also cooperate with several commonweal organizations and donate them such caring system equipment, so as to let the system benefit more people," he added. June 21 marks the world's Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Day. Sun said that considering the cost-effectiveness, some companies are hesitant to engage in developing similar AI caring products for the small number of ALS patients. "But the desire of this small group to live a relatively dignified and decent life matter as well," he noted. "We hope that through our efforts, we can offer a helping hand to the ALS patients and their families, who may be sometimes ignored by the mainstream technology development," he told the Global Times. Joint efforts At the May exhibition in Shenzhen, visitors with disabilities like Yong Yong tried many AI-powered auxiliaries, such as a portable bath machine for people with extremity disabilities, and an AI brain computer interface electric wheelchairs. Most exhibitors bringing the AI auxiliaries there were from Shenzhen No-Barrier Incubation Space, a project under local non-profit public institution Shenzhen Comprehensive Service Center for Disabled Persons. Established in 2020, the 1,600-square meter incubation space was China's first exemplary base specifically to support the innovative development of enterprises and organizations engaged in barrier-free industry, introduced Chen Jinzhou, director of the auxiliary device development department under the service center. To help people with disabilities and promote the development of barrier-free industry requires the joint efforts of a number of parties, Chen said. "Therefore, we launched the incubation space project to help cultivate innovation and entrepreneurship programs in the fields such as intelligent rehabilitation AIDS, medical rehabilitation, and special education," Chen told the Global Times. The space helps connect them with investors, organizes auxiliary device exhibitions for them, and provides them with many free services such as entrepreneurial guidance, professional consultation and road show opportunities. Over the past three years, the settled enterprises have obtained 559 patents, including 119 utility model patents and 102 invention ones, according to Chen. Li's company and his "vision-helper AI glasses" team were among the latest batch that settled the incubation space in April. "From helping people with visual, hearing or physical impairments, to improving cognitive impairment and mental health, AI will have a lot to offer," he said. SOURCE Global Times WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

Celltrion USA has expanded access to ZYMFENTRA ® (infliximab-dyyb), the first and only FDA-approved subcutaneous (SC) infliximab, to a significant share of the U.S. market The availability of ZYMFENTRA will support greater patient access and choice while helping to drive greater affordability to patients and health care systems JERSEY CITY, N.J., Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Celltrion USA announced today that, through continued partnership with key PBMs and health plans, the company has expanded access to ZYMFENTRA ® (infliximab-dyyb), the first and only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved subcutaneous infliximab. With these partnerships Celltrion has now secured comprehensive access across the US health care system. ZYMFENTRA has attained access to a significant share of the U.S. market, providing an increase in availability to patients and prescribers. This achievement reflects unmet needs of patients, providers and payers, as well as Celltrion USA's ability to deliver on our strong heritage of supply, manufacturing and commitment to biologics. "Our extensive engagement with PBMs and health plans from the outset have led to the comprehensive expanded access for ZYMFENTRA in a short time frame," said Thomas Nusbickel, Celltrion USA Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). "This achievement underscores ZYMFENTRA's unique and innovative therapeutic advantages, and we look forward to expanding our outreach to deliver its treatment benefits to as many patients in the U.S. as possible." ZYMFENTRA was approved by the FDA in October 2023 through the Biologics License Application (BLA) under the 351 (a) pathway of the Public Health Service Act (a "stand-alone" BLA). ZYMFENTRA is the first FDA-approved subcutaneous infliximab for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis and moderately to severely active Crohn's disease. About Celltrion USA Celltrion USA is Celltrion's U.S. subsidiary established in 2018. Headquartered in New Jersey, Celltrion USA is committed to expanding access to innovative biologics to improve care for U.S. patients. Celltrion currently has five biosimilars approved by the U.S. FDA: INFLECTRA® (infliximab-dyyb), TRUXIMA® (rituximab-abbs), HERZUMA® (trastuzumab-pkrb), VEGZELMA® (bevacizumab-adcd), and YUFLYMA®(adalimumab-aaty) as well as a novel biologic ZYMFENTRA®. Celltrion USA will continue to leverage Celltrion's unique heritage in biotechnology, supply chain excellence, and best-in-class sales capabilities to improve access to high-quality biopharmaceuticals for U.S. patients. For more information, please visit: . About ZYMFENTRA® (infliximab-dyyb) [1] ZYMFENTRA is a prescription medicine used as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) by adults for the maintenance treatment of: moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis following treatment with an infliximab product given by intravenous infusion (IV), moderately to severely active Crohn's disease following treatment with an infliximab product given by intravenous infusion (IV). ZYMFENTRA blocks the action of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a protein that can be overproduced in response to certain diseases and cause the immune system to attack normal, healthy parts of the body. ZYMFENTRA® (infliximab-dyyb) was approved by the FDA through the Biologics License Application (BLA) under the 351 (a) pathway of the Public Health Service Act (a "stand-alone" BLA). ZYMFENTRA is considered a new biologic with a first-approved subcutaneous administration form and thus will be under patent protection for its dosage form by 2037 and for its route of administration by 2040. Indication and Important Safety Information ZYMFENTRA is a prescription medicine indicated in adults for maintenance treatment of: Moderately to severely active Crohn's disease following treatment with an infliximab product administered intravenously. Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis following treatment with an infliximab product administered intravenously. It is not known if ZYMFENTRA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age. What is the most important information I should know about ZYMFENTRA? SERIOUS INFECTIONS Patients treated with ZYMFENTRA are at increased risk for developing serious infections involving various organ systems and sites that may lead to hospitalization or death. Discontinue ZYMFENTRA if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis. Reported infections include: Active tuberculosis (TB), including reactivation of latent TB. Patients frequently presented with disseminated or extrapulmonary disease. Patients should be tested for latent TB before and during treatment with ZYMFENTRA. Treatment for latent infection should be initiated prior to treatment with ZYMFENTRA. Invasive fungal infections, including histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, candidiasis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, and pneumocystosis. Patients may present with disseminated, rather than localized, disease. Empiric anti-fungal therapy should be considered in patients at risk for invasive fungal infections who develop severe systemic illness. Bacterial, viral, and other infections due to opportunistic pathogens, including Legionella and Listeria. The risks and benefits of treatment with ZYMFENTRA should be carefully considered prior to initiating therapy in patients with chronic or recurrent infection. Closely monitor patients for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with ZYMFENTRA, including the possible development of TB in patients who tested negative for latent TB infection prior to initiating therapy. Risk of infection may be higher in patients greater than 65 years of age, patients with comorbid conditions and/or patients taking concomitant immunosuppressant therapy. In clinical trials, other serious infections observed in patients treated with infliximab included arthritis bacterial, pneumonia, and urinary tract infection. MALIGNANCIES Malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children, adolescents, and young adults treated with TNF blockers, including infliximab products. Approximately half of these cases were lymphomas, including Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The other cases represented a variety of malignancies, including rare malignancies that are usually associated with immunosuppression and malignancies that are not usually observed in children and adolescents. The malignancies occurred after a median of 30 months after the first dose of therapy. Most of the patients were receiving concomitant immunosuppressants. Post-marketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of T-cell lymphoma, have been reported in patients treated with TNF blockers, including infliximab products. These cases have had a very aggressive disease course and have been fatal. The majority of reported cases have occurred in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, and most were in adolescent and young adult males. Almost all of these patients had received treatment with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine concomitantly with a TNF blocker at or prior to diagnosis. Carefully assess the risks and benefits of treatment with ZYMFENTRA, especially in these patient types. In clinical trials of all TNF blockers, more cases of malignancies were observed compared with controls and the expected rate in the general population. In clinical trials of some TNF blockers, including infliximab products, more cases of other malignancies were observed compared with controls. As the potential role of TNF blocker therapy in the development of malignancies is not known, caution should be exercised when considering treatment of patients with a current or a past history of malignancy. Melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma have been reported in patients treated with TNF blocker therapy, including infliximab products. Periodic skin examination is recommended for all patients, particularly those with risk factors for skin cancer. CONTRAINDICATIONS ZYMFENTRA is contraindicated in patients with a previous severe hypersensitivity reaction to infliximab-dyyb, other infliximab products, any of the inactive ingredients of ZYMFENTRA or any murine proteins (severe hypersensitivity reactions have included anaphylaxis, hypotension, and serum sickness). HEPATITIS B VIRUS REACTIVATION TNF blockers, including infliximab products, have been associated with reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients who are chronic carriers. Some cases were fatal. Patients should be tested for HBV infection before initiating ZYMFENTRA. For patients who test positive, consult a physician with expertise in the treatment of hepatitis B. Exercise caution when prescribing ZYMFENTRA for patients identified as carriers of HBV, and monitor closely for active HBV infection during and following termination of therapy with ZYMFENTRA. Discontinue ZYMFENTRA in patients who develop HBV reactivation and initiate antiviral therapy with appropriate supportive treatment. Exercise caution when considering resumption of ZYMFENTRA, and monitor patients closely. HEPATOTOXICITY Hepatobiliary disorders, including acute liver failure, jaundice abnormal hepatic function, hepatic steatosis, hepatitis, hepatotoxicity, hyperbilirubinemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver, have been reported in patients receiving infliximab products post-marketing. Some cases were fatal or required liver transplant. Aminotransferase elevations were not noted prior to discovery of liver injury in many cases. Patients with symptoms or signs of liver dysfunction should be evaluated for evidence of liver injury. If jaundice and/or marked liver enzyme elevations (eg, ≥5 times the upper limit of normal) develop, ZYMFENTRA should be discontinued, and a thorough investigation of the abnormality should be undertaken. CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE Cases of worsening congestive heart failure (CHF) and new onset CHF have been reported with TNF blockers. Some cases had a fatal outcome. In several exploratory trials of other TNF blockers in the treatment of CHF, there were greater proportions of TNF-blocker-treated patients who had CHF exacerbations requiring hospitalization or increased mortality. ZYMFENTRA has not been studied in patients with a history of CHF and ZYMFENTRA should be used with caution in patients with CHF. HEMATOLOGIC REACTION Cases of leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and pancytopenia (some fatal) have been reported. The causal relationship to infliximab-product therapy remains unclear. Exercise caution in patients who have ongoing or a history of significant hematologic abnormalities. Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if they develop signs and symptoms of blood dyscrasias or infection. Consider discontinuation of ZYMFENTRA in patients who develop significant hematologic abnormalities. HYPERSENSITIVITY AND OTHER ADMINISTRATION REACTIONS In post-marketing experience, serious systemic hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis, hypotension, and serum sickness) have been reported following administration of infliximab products. If an anaphylactic or other clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction occurs, institute appropriate therapy and discontinue ZYMFENTRA. INJECTION SITE REACTIONS In clinical studies, localized injection-site reactions were reported following administration of ZYMFENTRA. If a clinically significant injection-site reaction occurs, institute appropriate therapy and discontinue ZYMFENTRA. NEUROLOGIC REACTIONS Agents that inhibit TNF have been associated with central nervous system (CNS) manifestation of systemic vasculitis, seizure, and new onset or exacerbation of CNS demyelinating disorders, including multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis, and peripheral demyelinating disorders, including Guillain-Barré syndrome. Exercise caution when considering ZYMFENTRA in patients with these disorders and consider discontinuation if these disorders develop. RISK OF INFECTION WITH CONCURRENT ADMINISTRATION OF OTHER BIOLOGICS PRODUCTS Serious infections and neutropenia have been reported with concurrent use of ZYMFENTRA with other immunosuppressive biological products. The concurrent use of ZYMFENTRA with other immunosuppressive biological products used to treat UC and CD may increase the risk of infection and is not recommended. RISK OF ADDITIVE IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE EFFECTS FROM PRIOR BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS Consider the half-life and mode of action of prior biological products to avoid unintended additive immunosuppressive effects when initiating ZYMFENTRA. AUTOIMMUNITY Treatment with TNF blockers may result in the formation of autoantibodies and in the development of a lupus-like syndrome. Discontinue ZYMFENTRA treatment if symptoms of a lupus-like syndrome develop. VACCINATIONS AND USE OF LIVE VACCINES/THERAPEUTIC INFECTIOUS AGENTS Prior to initiating ZYMFENTRA, update vaccinations in accordance with current vaccination guidelines. Live vaccines or therapeutic infectious agents should not be given with ZYMFENTRA due to the possibility of clinical infections, including disseminated infections. At least a 6-month waiting period following birth is recommended before the administration of any live vaccine to infants exposed in utero to ZYMFENTRA. ADVERSE REACTIONS In clinical trials with ZYMFENTRA, the most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥3% of ZYMFENTRA -treated patients included site reactions, COVID-19, anemia, arthralgia, infection site reaction, increased alanine aminotransferase and abdominal pain for UC, and COVID-19, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, injection site reaction, diarrhea, increased blood creatine phosphokinase, arthralgia, increased alanine aminotransferase, hypertension, urinary tract infection, neutropenia, dizziness and leukopenia for CD. Please click for Full U.S. Prescribing Information. Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information. For further information please contact: Celltrion Global PR Team [email protected] SOURCE Celltrion USA WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

-- Zero shingles cases after 18.8 months follow-up in 619 patients receiving any dose of amezosvatein, a development-stage adjuvanted subunit vaccine -- Ten shingles cases would have been expected absent vaccination -- Updated data will be featured in an oral presentation at the World Vaccine Congress Barcelona, 31 October 2024, in Theatre 5 at 13:30 CEST SEATTLE, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Curevo Vaccine (Curevo), a privately-held clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing varicella zoster virus (VZV) vaccines with improved tolerability and accessibility, today announced an upcoming oral presentation at the World Vaccine Congress currently underway in Barcelona of shingles case outcomes data from an 876-patient Phase 2 trial of amezosvatein (a non-mRNA, adjuvanted subunit vaccine also known as CRV-101) head-to-head versus Shingrix® in participants aged 50 years and older. There were zero confirmed cases of herpes zoster (shingles) in the amezosvatein arm of participants, regardless of dose, after mean follow-up of 18.8 months in this post-hoc analysis of the Phase 2 trial. Based on the shingles incidence rate from the placebo arm North American cohort of ZOSTER-006, a Phase 3 trial of Shingrix, 10 of the 876 participants in the Phase 2 trial should have been diagnosed with a confirmed shingles case absent effective vaccination.1 There were also no shingles cases in the Shingrix arm of this Phase 2 trial. “With the duration of follow-up in our Phase 2 trial now sufficient for comparison, we are excited to report zero shingles cases for amezosvatein,” said Dr. Guy De La Rosa, Curevo’s Chief Medical Officer. “These data provide outcomes-based confirmation of the non-inferiority immunogenicity data we reported earlier.” “These data support our efforts to bring a new shingles vaccine to global markets,” stated George Simeon, Curevo’s Chief Executive Officer. “Though somewhat unsurprising, given amezosvatein also showed non-inferior immunogenicity to Shingrix at day 84 in this trial, these longer-term data represent additional de-risking for the program.” About the Phase 2 trialThe Phase 2 trial (NCT05304351) enrolled 876 participants to receive either amezosvatein or Shingrix on an identical two-dose, two months apart schedule. 876 participants were randomized to receive one of four different amezosvatein doses or Shingrix. The mean follow-up of the 619 participants receiving amezosvatein was 18.8 months. Mean follow-up of the 257 participants who received Shingrix was 21.5 months. The co-primary endpoint of the Phase 2 trial was anti-gE antibody humoral immune responses one month after the second vaccine dose (Day 84). The randomized, observer-blind, and active-controlled trial was conducted at multiple centers in the USA. All suspected cases of shingles were confirmed by either PCR test or, if PCR testing was inconclusive or unavailable, by a blinded panel of shingles experts – a system similar to one used in multiple prior shingles vaccine pivotal studies. As presented earlier in the month at the IDWeek scientific conference, this co-primary immunogenicity endpoint was met in the highest amezosvatein dose studied (100 μg gE plus 15 μg SLA-SE) as participants’ immune responses to amezosvatein were non-inferior to participants’ immune responses to Shingrix. High-dose amezosvatein and Shingrix generated similar serum neutralizing antibodies to the varicella zoster virus (VZV) and T-cell responses specific for the gE antigen. Vaccines are studied for both safety and reactogenicity/tolerability. Data on the reactogenicity/tolerability of amezosvatein and Shingrix were collected via a participant diary filled out for the seven days after each injection. Participants were asked to grade the tolerability of each vaccine on a scale of Grade 1 to Grade 3. Grade 1 represents what are considered normal reactions to an active vaccine that do not interfere or prevent daily activity. Grade 2 represents reactogenicity events interfering with daily activities. Grade 3 represents reactogenicity events preventing daily activities. Amezosvatein and Shingrix demonstrated comparable safety in this Phase 2 trial. However, the highest dose of amezosvatein demonstrated a clinically-meaningful and statistically-significant improvement for Grade 2 and Grade 3 reactogenicity versus Shingrix. Just 7.3% of participants in the trial receiving the highest dose of amezosvatein reported a Grade 2 (interferes with daily activity) or Grade 3 (prevents daily activity) reactogenicity event compared to 33.3% of participants receiving Shingrix. This result was statistically significant (p<0.001 in a post hoc analysis unadjusted for multiple comparisons). Reactogenicity events were broken down between local reactions (injection site pain, redness, or swelling) and systemic reactions (fever, headache, fatigue, myalgia/muscle pain, chills). Just 3.6% of high-dose amezosvatein participants had a Grade 2 or Grade 3 local reactogenicity event compared to 25.3% of Shingrix participants. For systemic reactogenicity events, 5.5% of high-dose amezosvatein participants had a Grade 2 or Grade 3 event versus 19.1% for Shingrix. Both results were statistically significant (p=0.0002 and p=0.0139, respectively, in a post hoc analysis unadjusted for multiple comparisons). No Grade 3 reactogenicity events were reported for amezosvatein. About amezosvatein‘Amezosvatein’ is the assigned non-proprietary name for CRV-101, a non-mRNA adjuvanted subunit vaccine under investigation by Curevo. Like Shingrix, amezosvatein uses a subunit protein antigen called glycoprotein ‘E’ (gE). Targeting the gE antigen is proven to elicit a long-term, protective immune response to prevent shingles. Also like Shingrix, amezosvatein uses an adjuvant targeting the TLR4 pathway to boost the immune response to the gE antigen. Amezosvatein was engineered to have a best-in-class safety profile in addition to manufacturing advantages to improve vaccine accessibility. The SLA-SE adjuvant formulation was developed at Seattle-based Access to Advanced Health Institute (AAHI) and amezosvatein was licensed from the Mogam Institute for Biomedical Research, a research institute funded by South Korea’s GC Biopharma. About shinglesAlso called ‘herpes zoster’, shingles occurs when the varicella zoster virus causing childhood chickenpox re-emerges from sensory ganglion nervous system cells where the virus lies dormant after initial exposure. Virtually all adults have been exposed to the varicella zoster virus and around 30% will develop shingles at least once in their lifetime. The blistering skin rash accompanying shingles also causes severe pain, with both pain and rash lasting up to four weeks. Between 10-18% of those who get shingles develop post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a condition marked by debilitating nerve pain lasting over six months and often beyond one year. There is no approved treatment for PHN. Shingles may also affect the eyes, potentially causing loss of vision. Contracting shingles has also been linked with increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. About CurevoCurevo is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company based near Seattle dedicated to reducing the burden of infectious disease by developing vaccines with improved tolerability and accessibility. Curevo’s lead product is amezosvatein, a non-mRNA sub-unit vaccine to prevent shingles, a serious medical condition involving a painful, blistering skin rash where 10-18% of people also develop serious, long-lasting nerve pain. The current $4+ billion shingles vaccine market is characterized by accessibility issues and vaccine hesitancy/dose avoidance related to vaccine tolerability. Curevo is also developing a non-live, non-mRNA subunit chickenpox vaccine intended to reduce or eliminate barriers to immunizing immunocompromised children. For more information visit https://curevovaccine.com/. 1. Lal, et al. New England Journal of Medicine, May 2015. Shingrix® is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline, PLC.