Virax Biolabs’ CEO James Foster Outlines Clinical Progress and 2026 Priorities in Latest Annual Letter to Shareholders

Virax Biolabs’ proprietary in-development diagnostic technology for post-acute infection syndromes (“PAIS”), such as Long COVID, positions the Company for an important data year ahead, following a series of recent clinical and operational milestones over the past 12 months. LONDON, Dec. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Virax Biolabs Group Limited (NASDAQ: VRAX) (“Virax” or the “Company”), an innovative biotechnology company dedicated to the advancement of immunology research and diagnostics, today highlighted key milestones, achievements and clinical progress while outlining its strategic priorities for 2026 in a letter to shareholders and investors.   Read the full Press Release here

Major New Study Reveals Immunological Insights Into ME/CFS, Further Supporting Blood-based Diagnostic Testing and Research

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, is a complex condition characterized by post-exertional fatigue and a range of neuroimmune symptoms. It is one of several debilitating conditions that fall under the diagnostic umbrella of post-acute infection syndrome (PAIS) due to its association with an incomplete recovery from viral disease.  ME/CFS often presents with complexity and varying severity in the clinic. This means that it can be particularly difficult to diagnose, with approaches relying heavily on observational study and patient symptom self-reporting. While the diagnosis of ME/CFS is becoming easier as clinical awareness increases, challenges still remain due to the lack of a definitive and quantitative in vitro test.12 DecodeME and the Immunological Basis Of ME/CFS A major new study (DecodeME) led by the University of Edinburgh has revealed exciting new insights into the immunological components of ME/CFS with potential implications for future diagnostic development. The research, which supports the role of neuroimmune dysfunction in ME/CFS, reveals an association between key immune response and nervous system function genes and clinically validated ME/CFS presentations. The study, which analyzed the DNA of more than 15,500 people, identified eight specific genetic signals linked to the condition. Notably, several of these genetic variants were directly related to immune response and nervous system function, supporting long-standing clinical observations and patient-reported symptoms. Two of the discovered genetic variants were specifically tied to infection response mechanisms, further supporting the role of viral infection in ME/CFS pathogenesis. Supporting Blood-based Diagnostic Tests for ME/CFS While ME/CFS symptoms are varied, many experts believe that the key to a prospective in vitro diagnostic test could lie within patients’ blood.3 Immune cells – also known as T cells – reside within patients’ blood plasma and often show hallmark signs of dysfunction in cases of chronic fatigue. These dysfunctional changes, while yet to be fully elucidated, could be reflective of the genetic findings reported by DecodeME. Hence, the latest research further supports the potential for blood-based ME/CFS diagnostic testing and highlights the prospective role for T cell analysis in disease stratification and research. Translational Benefits of the Research The DecodeME study findings reinforce what many patients and clinicians have observed for years: unresolved infection can be a trigger for developing ME/CFS. Our ViraxImmune™ platform, which is currently being developed, is designed to explore these same questions from a different angle. We investigate the dysfunctions of the immune system, and specifically T cell response, which is critical in fighting off infections and managing chronic conditions. The DecodeME study’s results highlight the role of the immune system genes ,providing strong external validation for our in-development assay for the clinical diagnosis of PAIS. This assay could offer doctors and their patients unprecedented insights into adaptive immune dysfunction status, known to be associated with ME/CFS. By developing tools that help clinicians understand and manage post-viral immune dysfunction, we aim to provide better diagnostics and personalized treatment strategies. ** Want to learn more about ViraxImmune™? Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates and advancements. ** ** Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements: This blog post contains forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time, we or our representatives may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the information currently available to us. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance, including: our financial performance and projections; our growth in revenue and earnings; and our business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “contemplates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “plans,” “projected,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “hopes” or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including: our ability to change the direction of the Company; our ability to keep pace with new technology and changing market needs; and the competitive environment of our business. These and other factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are only predictions. The forward-looking events discussed in this blog post and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives, may not occur, and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about us. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Virax and its current plans or expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown uncertainties, risks and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These and other important factors are described in detail in the “Risk Factors” section of Virax’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2024. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this blog post and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives might not occur.

Diagnosing Long COVID: A Gut-Immune Perspective.

Diagnosing chronic, post-acute inflammatory conditions – like Long COVID – remains a persistent challenge for researchers and healthcare professionals alike. The variable presentation of symptoms – along with the allusivity of an exact cause – make these conditions difficult to pin down in the clinic. Current diagnostic approaches rely on highly speculative patient questionnaires; these, while useful, do not provide researchers or clinicians with accurate measures of symptomology – nor do they provide quantitative data to stratify disease severity or explore potential disease subtypes. The urgent need for accurate, improved diagnostics has led researchers to explore a variety of options when it comes to sample types – including stool and blood. In recent years, a research focus on the gut microbiome has led scientists to speculate whether stool samples may offer a convenient, non-invasive option for diagnosis and stratification – offering the opportunity to profile distinct microbial “signatures” reflective of disease status. Yet, with the exact cause of Long COVID still unknown, the jury is out on whether microbiome profiling will translate to the clinic; there remain no approved diagnostics using this approach. This article highlights some of the latest research into the Long COVID microbiota. It also explores the benefits and drawbacks of potential stool-based microbiome profiling compared to blood-based biomarker detection. What Causes Long COVID? Long COVID (also known as “post-acute sequalae of COVID-19”, or “PASC”) is a chronic illness characterized by an array of variable, sometimes debilitating symptoms —from profound fatigue and cognitive impairment to cardiovascular symptoms and neuropathic pain. It occurs in some (but not all) people who have experienced an acute SARS-CoV2 virus infection and can persist for many months, or even years, after the initial infection has cleared. While the exact causes of Long COVID remain unknown, research suggests that the gut microbiome may play a profound role in its ongoing symptomology. Gut Dysbiosis and Long COVID Gut dysbiosis is defined as an imbalance or disruption in the gut microbiome. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including viral infection, inflammation, stress and medication. While it’s perhaps unsurprising that gut dysbiosis is a common effect of Long COVID, it is unclear whether such changes are symptomatic or causative. Several dysbiosis changes have been identified as disease ‘hallmarks’ in patients that have a verified Long COVID diagnosis. These hallmark changes include an increase in commensal pathogens (such as Clostridium, Micrococcus and Vellonella) alongside a decrease in the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacterium, Faecalbacterium and Eubacterium). While the cause of such changes are yet to be fully understood, some experts believe that gut-immune system crosstalk could be, at least in part, responsible for this effect. Some experts speculate that the aggressive induction pro-inflammatory cytokine signalling may potentiate the depletion of beneficial immunomodulatory bacteria – creating a feedback loop that sustains the pro-inflammatory environment. As bacterial metabolites – such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) – are known to enhance the expansion and maturation of the immune system’s T cells, it is possible that this molecular crosstalk perpetuates immune dysregulation and contributes to the T cell dysfunction also observed in PASC patients. Explore Virax kits and assays for T cell profiling and immune analysis. Could We Diagnose Long COVID Using Stool Samples? In a 2022 scientific study published in Gut, researchers were able to effectively characterize PASC patients according to stool-based microbiome profiling 6 months after an initial SARS-CoV2 infection. They also identified that non-PASC patients (who had also had COVID) displayed a recovered intestinal microbiota, highlighting the diagnostic potential of Long COVID specifically. While there is clear potential for microbiome profiling in PASC diagnosis and research, several challenges prohibit the implementation of this approach. Firstly, the inherent heterogeneity of the human microbiome presents a barrier to developing a one-size-fits-all solution. In addition, the high cost of microbiome metagenomic sequencing means that routine stool sampling testing at this analytical depth is not economically viable in a healthcare setting. Hence, while diagnosing Long COVID using stool sampling is theoretically possible, it remains limited by bottlenecks. The Benefits of Blood and Blood-Derived Cells Researchers have found that, like the microbiome, the adaptive immune system also reflects several, measurable hallmarks of Long COVID. These hallmarks patterns include T cell dysfunction – an effect that is both cheaper and easier to measure than microbial dysbiosis. As such, blood-based sampling may offer several benefits in clinical applications; it may also facilitate easier research into PASC and PASC-related conditions. Conclusion While gut microbiome profiling can offer insights into the pathophysiology of Long COVID, the high cost of comprehensive sequencing and heterogeneity of sample types limit widespread clinical application. Conversely, research into blood-based biomarkers, particularly those reflecting adaptive immune system, is gaining traction. These blood-derived measurements present a more accessible and economically viable approach for both routine clinical assessment and large-scale research into Long COVID and other PAIS conditions. Ready to explore T cell profiling in blood-based sample types? Visit our website to learn more about our kits, reagents and custom immunology services. ** ** Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements: This blog post contains forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time, we or our representatives may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the information currently available to us. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance, including: our financial performance and projections; our growth in revenue and earnings; and our business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “contemplates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “plans,” “projected,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “hopes” or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including: our ability to change the direction of the Company; our ability to keep pace with new technology and changing market needs; and the competitive environment of our business. These and other factors may cause our actual

Chronic Illness and The Immune System: Could ViraxImmune™ Offer a Critical Diagnostic Breakthrough?

A recent Wall Street Journal commentary by Yale immunologist Akiko Iwasaki and cardiologist Harlan Krumholz highlights how immune dysfunction following infection may drive a spectrum of chronic diseases—including long COVID, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and post-treatment Lyme disease. The authors call for advanced diagnostics that can map persistent immune responses and uncover mechanistic drivers of post-infectious disease. This aligns closely with the aim of ViraxImmune™, a novel immune profiling assay currently in development. Designed to quantify immune exhaustion and cellular dysfunction, ViraxImmune™ provides a quantitative readout of T cell function—offering data to support clinical decision-making and research stratification. What is Post-Acute Infection Syndrome? Post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS) are debilitating conditions that persist long after the initial infection. While symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and chronic pain are common among these conditions, the underlying biology is complex. Increasingly, PAIS are being linked to persistent immune activation, T cell exhaustion, and imbalances in cell signaling (cytokine) profiles, which disturb normal immune function and lead to chronic inflammation. Despite global research funding, including NIH’s RECOVER Initiative and UKRI’s long COVID funding stream, no validated diagnostic currently exists to stratify patients or confirm ongoing immune dysfunction—slowing progress in both clinical management and therapeutic trials. The $3.7 Trillion Problem According to recent estimates published in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, the economic impact of long COVID in the U.S. exceeds $3.7 trillion, driven by lost productivity, direct healthcare costs, and long-term disability. New diagnostic tools could ease this burden by enabling faster, more accurate identification of affected individuals—reducing unnecessary treatments, disability timelines, and uncertainty for both patients and providers. Introducing ViraxImmune™: A New Standard in Immune Diagnostics ViraxImmune™ directly assesses immune health by measuring cytokines secreted from activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)—a diverse population of immune cells, including T cells, B cells, NK cells, and monocytes, critical for host defense. Unlike symptom-based questionnaires or antibody tests, this approach provides an objective evaluation of immune dysfunction, including T cell exhaustion, commonly observed in post-acute infection syndromes. The ViraxImmune™ platform integrates the latest, innovative methods with tried and tested FluoroSpot technology to produce clear, easy-to-interpret immune dysfunction scores. This reduces subjectivity, supports consistent monitoring over time, and enhances patient stratification in clinical trials. Clinicians can then make more informed decisions regarding diagnosis, ongoing monitoring, and long-term care planning. Currently undergoing clinical evaluation, ViraxImmune™ represents a promising advancement in diagnostics for immune-related chronic illnesses. Why It Matters Now There’s a growing consensus that many chronic diseases may start in the immune system. That idea, once considered fringe, is now supported by major studies. Our efforts reflect this paradigm shift—from viewing these illnesses as psychosomatic or idiopathic to understanding them as immune-mediated disorders. Virax Biolabs remains committed to advancing immune profiling technologies, such as ViraxImmune™, through rigorous research and clinical validation. As attention turns toward the long-term impacts of chronic illnesses, diagnostics like ours could contribute to earlier detection, more personalized care, and more efficient clinical trial design ** Want to stay informed about our progress? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on our clinical development efforts and scientific collaborations. ** ** Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements: This blog post contains forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time, we or our representatives may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the information currently available to us. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance, including: our financial performance and projections; our growth in revenue and earnings; and our business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “contemplates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “plans,” “projected,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “hopes” or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including: our ability to change the direction of the Company; our ability to keep pace with new technology and changing market needs; and the competitive environment of our business. These and other factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are only predictions. The forward-looking events discussed in this blog post and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives, may not occur, and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about us. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Virax and its current plans or expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown uncertainties, risks and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These and other important factors are described in detail in the “Risk Factors” section of Virax’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2024. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this blog post and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives might not occur. Media and Investor Contact: