GC Biopharma announced that its U.S. affiliate, Curevo Vaccine, has successfully raised USD 110 million in Series B funding to advance the development of its shingles vaccine, Amezosvatein (Project Name: CRV-101).  

The funding round was led by Medicxi, a European life sciences venture capital firm with extensive experience in vaccine investments, with participation from OrbiMed, HBM Healthcare Investment, and Sanofi Ventures. The successful fundraising was made possible by strong follow-on investments from existing backers, including founding investor GC Biopharma, as well as the addition of several new investors.  

At a time when investment sentiment in biopharmaceuticals has remained sluggish for an extended period, the participation of top vaccine experts in this round highlights the recognition of Curevo’s innovation and growth potential.  

George Simeon, CEO of Curevo, stated that the funds will be used to expand the patient population in its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial, which has already demonstrated promising results. He added that the company plans to enroll 640 participants, including adults aged 70 and older, starting in mid-2024, to determine the optimal dosage for Phase 3 trials.  

Dr. Moncef Slaoui, who recently joined Curevo’s board of directors, expressed his enthusiasm for working with the company to develop an optimal shingles vaccine with both strong efficacy and excellent tolerability. He also emphasized that clinical data confirms the crucial role of Curevo’s adjuvant technology.  

Dr. Slaoui spent nearly 30 years at GSK, contributing to the development of numerous vaccines, including Shingrix (shingles), Cervarix (cervical cancer), Rotarix (rotavirus), and Synflorix (pneumococcal disease). During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as the chief scientific advisor for Operation Warp Speed, the U.S. government’s initiative to accelerate SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development.  

Dr. Giovanni Mariggi, co-founder and partner at Medicxi, which has significant investment experience in infectious diseases, expressed confidence that Amezosvatein will be a best-in-class shingles vaccine welcomed by patients and healthcare professionals worldwide. He also shared his excitement about supporting Curevo.  

Dr. Tal Zaks of OrbiMed, who previously served as Chief Medical Officer at Moderna and led the development of its mRNA vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, highlighted that Amezosvatein offers superior tolerability and reduced biological risk compared to existing vaccines, positioning it as a potential first-choice option for shingles prevention.  

Heo Eun-chul, CEO of GC Biopharma, emphasized that Curevo was founded to address the unmet need for shingles vaccines among older adults. He reaffirmed GC Biopharma’s commitment to supporting Curevo by participating as a co-investor in this Series B funding round.