PR93782

MIAMI, Dec. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- The SPIKEVAX(R) brand name was developed in partnership with Brand Institute,

the global leader in pharmaceutical and healthcare-related name development

Brand Institute (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3394810-1&h=1068480144&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.brandinstitute.com%2F&a=Brand+Institute) is proud to announce its successful partnership with Moderna in naming their

mRNA COVID-19 vaccine: SPIKEVAX(R). The brand name was announced by the

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare when the agency approved the vaccine's

booster shot on December 16, 2021.

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"The entire Brand Institute and Drug Safety Institute Team congratulates

Moderna on the MHLW's approval of their COVID-19 vaccine booster shot and the

corresponding announcement of the SPIKEVAX(R) brand name for the Japanese

Market," said Brand Institute's Chairman and CEO, James L. Dettore. "The

announcement of the SPIKEVAX(R) brand name indicates that the name fulfills the

MHLW's regulatory requirements for a vaccine brand name to be marketed in

Japan."

The "spike" in "SPIKEVAX" refers to the spike glycoprotein, one of the key

characteristics of SARS-CoV-2. The mRNA vaccine SPIKEVAX(R) gives instructions

for cells to produce copies of the spike protein, which subsequently become

targets for the generation of neutralizing antibodies against them. In doing

so, the body develops immunity to SARS-CoV-2 viral infection.

"Our naming research demonstrated that SPIKEVAX(R) was not only a great fit for

the product but also highly memorable and unique," Dettore said. "The name

'SPIKEVAX' has many of the characteristics and attributes we pursue when

creating a new pharmaceutical or vaccine brand name."

SPIKEVAX(R) has also been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and

Health Canada. The approval of the brand name by other global regulatory

agencies will follow their respective guidelines, policies and procedures.

About Brand Institute and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Drug Safety Institute

Brand Institute is the global leader in pharmaceutical and healthcare-related

name development, with a portfolio of over 3,500 marketed healthcare names for

nearly 1,000 clients. The company partners on over 75% of pharmaceutical brand

and nonproprietary name approvals globally every year. Drug Safety Institute is

comprised of former naming regulatory officials from global government health

agencies, including FDA, EMA, Health Canada, American Medical Association

(AMA), and the World Health Organization (WHO). These regulatory experts

co-authored the name review guidelines while with their respective agencies,

with many responsible for ultimately approving (or rejecting) brand name

applications. Now working for a private company, these professionals provide

Brand Institute's clients with industry-leading guidance pertaining to drug

name safety (i.e., preventing medication errors), packaging, and labeling.

Contact: Scott Piergrossi

         President

         Creative

         spiergrossi@brandinstitute.com

SOURCE:  Brand Institute, Inc.