Press release
Arcturus Reports Additional Supportive Preclinical Data for its COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate (LUNAR-COV19)
New data provides evidence of adaptive cellular (CD8+ cells) and balanced (Th1/Th2) immune responses STARR™ mRNA (LUNAR-COV19) Induces Adaptive Cellular
About this update from Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"New data provides evidence of adaptive cellular (CD8+ cells) and balanced (Th1/Th2) immune responses\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n STARR™ mRNA (LUNAR-COV19) Induces Adaptive Cellular Immunity\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n PRNT50 Value (Titers) After LUNAR-COV19 Vaccination\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n STARR™ mRNA elicits anti-spike protein antibodies (IgG), higher than conventional mRNA at all doses SAN DIEGO, May 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings Inc. (the “Company”, “Arcturus”, Nasdaq: ARCT), a leading clinical-stage messenger RNA medicines company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutics for rare diseases and vaccines, today announced new supportive preclinical data, providing evidence for an adaptive cellular (CD8+ cells) and balanced (Th1/Th2) immune response data from the Company’s COVID-19 vaccine program (LUNAR-COV19). These new results augment previously disclosed preclinical data demonstrating a strong antibody response (anti-spike protein IgG and 100% virus neutralization at a very low vaccine dose) from the program. Together, the available data indicate that LUNAR-COV19 is effectively activating the two fundamentally important components of the adaptive immune response, providing strong support for human vaccine clinical trials, which are on track to begin this summer. These scientific data supporting robust immunogenicity of LUNAR-COV19 were measured by investigators at the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore. “These extended preclinical studies, conducted in partnership with Arcturus, establish a comprehensive and highly compelling package of data to support clinical trials,” said Professor Ooi Eng Eong, Deputy Director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme at Duke-NUS Medical School. “The new preclinical data for LUNAR-COV19 vaccine are very promising and represents an even more compelling case for clinical trials.” Pad Chivukula, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Arcturus Therapeutics, stated “A vaccine approach that elicits a broader immune response by activating both humoral (i.e., antibodies) and cellular (T-cells) immunity has the potential to provide more potent clinical protection. Our preclinical LUNAR-COV19 data confirms this broad immune response.” Joseph Payne, President & CEO of Arcturus added, “Self-replicati...