08:48 AM EDT, 09/13/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Arcturus Therapeutics ( ARCT ) and CSL said Friday that Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has approved their updated self-amplifying mRNA Covid-19 vaccine, Kostaive.

The companies said the vaccine targets the JN.1 Omicron subvariant and is approved for adults 18 years and older. They added that it will be distributed by Meiji Seika Pharma, CSL's partner in Japan, starting in October.

The approval is based on data showing the vaccine's effectiveness against Omicron BA 4/5, with immunity of up to one year, according to the companies.

Arcturus shares were up 2.6% in recent premarket activity.

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