- 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.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1392055/brand_institute_Logo.jpg 

"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.