Provectus Biopharmaceuticals Positions PV-10 as a Differentiated Alternative to Traditional Vaccine Adjuvants; University of Calgary Research Highlights Novel STING-Pathway Activation for Improving Hepatitis B Vaccine Efficacy

Rhea-AI Summary

Provectus (OTCQB: PVCT) reported independent preclinical research (Oct 9, 2025) showing PV-10 (rose bengal sodium) activates the STING pathway, stabilizing STING dimerization, upregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, and boosting IFN‑gamma from antigen-primed T cells. The study suggests PV-10 could serve as a differentiated vaccine adjuvant alternative to aluminum salts, emulsions, saponins, and nucleic acid fragments and may help ~10% of vaccine non-responders for hepatitis B.

Company highlights market optionality: vaccine adjuvant market projected to exceed $2B by 2030, global vaccine sales >b$70B by 2030, oncology vaccine market >b$10B by 2032, and immune checkpoint therapies >b$40B.

Positive

• Independent preclinical data showing STING activation by PV-10
• IFN-gamma secretion significantly boosted in antigen-primed T cells
• Addresses ~10% vaccine non-responders for hepatitis B per release
• Adjuvant market optionality: adjuvant market >b$2B by 2030

Negative

• Findings are preclinical; no clinical efficacy or approvals reported
• Market figures are projections and not guaranteed to translate to sales

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Provectus” or the “Company”) (OTCQB: PVCT) today announced the publication of independent preclinical research by Aru Narendran, MD, PhD and colleagues at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. Their paper demonstrates that PV-10, a formulation of the Company’s proprietary, pharmaceutical-grade active pharmaceutical ingredient rose bengal sodium, activates the body’s natural STING (stimulator of interferon genes) immune pathway, leading to stronger antigen presentation and more robust T-cell responses.

The article, titled “PV-10 as New Adjuvant Enhances Immune Responses in Hepatitis B Vaccination Through STING Pathway,” is available here.

This novel STING-pathway mechanism suggests that PV-10 could potentially represent a safer, more efficacious, and differentiated alternative to widely used vaccine adjuvants such as aluminum salts, emulsions, saponins, and nucleic acid–based fragments, many of which face questions around safety, reactogenicity, and long-term impact.

PV-10 as a Next-Generation Immune System Activator

Dr. Narendran and colleagues’ research showed that PV-10:

• Stabilizes STING dimerization, a key step in activating the body’s innate immunity,
  
• Upregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines critical for the immune system’s adaptive responses, and
  
• Significantly boosts IFN-gamma secretion by antigen-primed T cells.
  

These findings point to PV-10’s potential ability to rescue immune non-responders, individuals who fail to mount protection with current vaccines, and to serve as a cleaner immune system activator across infectious disease, oncology, and pandemic preparedness applications.

Dominic Rodrigues, President and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Provectus, said “We believe this research validates PV-10 as more than a cancer drug for injectable solid tumors, it can be a platform immune enhancer. By working through the natural pathway of STING that cells already use to recognize threats to our bodies, PV-10 offers the chance to potentially strengthen immunity without relying on historical or controversial vaccine additives. For patients, that could translate into the possibility of safer, more effective protection where current options fail. For investors, that could translate into expanding into multi-billion-dollar addressable markets such as infectious disease and oncology vaccines and preparedness programs.”

Market Opportunities

The vaccine adjuvant market is projected to exceed $2 billion annually by 2030. PV-10’s differentiated safety and mechanism potentially create significant optionality for Provectus across:

• Infectious disease vaccines: Global vaccine sales are expected to surpass $70 billion by 2030, with a $1 billion-plus adjuvant subset. PV-10 could offer a safer alternative for the approximately 10% of healthy individuals who fail to respond to existing vaccines such as hepatitis B.
  
• Oncology vaccines: A market projected to be more than $10 billion by 2032, where effective immune activation is critical, PV-10’s STING-mediated activity could complement immune checkpoint inhibitors that already generate more than $40 billion annually but need stronger T-cell priming to expand durable responses.
  
• Preparedness programs: Governmental and non-governmental organizations spend billions of dollars each year stockpiling tools to respond to and counter epidemic and pandemic threats; safer, more effective, scalable vaccine adjuvants are a high-priority unmet need.
  

For patients, this means the potential for more reliable protection of groups often underserved by current vaccines, such as older adults, immunocompromised individuals, and those who never achieve immunity with existing formulations. For investors, it potentially further positions PV-10 at the convergence of multi-billion-dollar markets in infectious disease, oncology, and immune system health.

About Provectus

Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a pipeline of immunotherapy medicines based on rose bengal sodium, a first-in-class synthetic small molecule from the halogenated xanthene family. The Company’s clinical programs span oncology, dermatology, and ophthalmology, with additional proof-of-concept programs in hematology, wound healing, infectious diseases, and tissue repair.
For more information, visit www.provectusbio.com.

Forward Looking Statements

The information in this press release may include “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, relating to the business of Provectus and its affiliates, which are based on currently available information and current assumptions, expectations, and projections about future events and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “aim,” “likely,” “outlook,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “budget,” “plan,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “project,” “projection,” “predict,” “potential,” “targeting,” “intend,” “can,” “could,” “might,” “should,” “believe,” and similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.

The safety and efficacy of the agents and/or uses under investigation have not been established. There is no guarantee that the agents will receive health authority approval or become commercially available in any country for the uses being investigated or that such agents as products will achieve any particular revenue levels.

Due to the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions inherent in forward-looking statements, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof or as of the date specifically specified herein, and Provectus undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Risks, uncertainties, and assumptions include those discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including those described in Item 1A of:

• The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024, and
• Provectus’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2025.

Contacts:
Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
Heather Raines, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
(866) 594-5999

Investor Relations & Media
Susan Xu
sxu@allianceadvisors.com
(778) 323-0959

FAQ

What did Provectus announce about PV-10 and STING on October 9, 2025 for PVCT?

Provectus said independent preclinical research showed PV-10 activates the STING pathway, stabilizes STING dimerization, and increases IFN‑gamma secretion.

How might PV-10 affect hepatitis B vaccine response according to the October 9, 2025 announcement?

The research suggests PV-10 could enhance antigen presentation and potentially help the ~10% of healthy individuals who fail to respond to current hepatitis B vaccines.

What market opportunity did Provectus cite for PV-10 in the October 9, 2025 release (PVCT)?

Provectus cited an adjuvant market projected to exceed $2B by 2030, global vaccine sales >b$70B by 2030, and an oncology vaccine market >b$10B by 2032.

Does the October 9, 2025 research announcement report clinical trials or regulatory approval for PV-10?

No; the announcement describes preclinical research only and does not report clinical trial results or approvals.

What specific immune effects did the University of Calgary study report for PV-10?

The study reported PV-10 stabilizes STING dimerization, upregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and significantly boosts IFN‑gamma from antigen-primed T cells.

How could PV-10 position Provectus (PVCT) in pandemic preparedness and oncology markets?

The company said PV-10’s STING-mediated activation could offer a safer adjuvant option for infectious disease, oncology vaccines, and preparedness programs, potentially expanding market reach.