08:47 AM EST, 02/14/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Arcturus Therapeutics ( ARCT ) said Friday the European Commission granted marketing authorization for Kostaive, a self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for individuals aged 18 and above.

The biotechnology company said Kostaive is the first self-amplifying mRNA COVID vaccine to receive European Commission clearance and is currently marketed in Japan against the disease.

Kostaive showed "superior" immunogenicity and maintained antibody levels for up to 12 months post-vaccination compared to traditional mRNA vaccines, the company said.

The company also said that the approval follows a favorable opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency on Dec. 12 and is valid across all European countries.

The company's shares were up 2.1% in recent premarket activity.