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Wednesday, September 08 2021 - 23:04
AsiaNet
Novavax Initiates Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of Combination Vaccine for COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Sept. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

-- First participants enrolled in Phase 1 clinical trial of combination 
NanoFlu(TM)/NVX–CoV2373 vaccine with Matrix-M(TM) adjuvant

-- Phase 1/2 study will evaluate immunogenicity and safety

Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing 
and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, 
today announced enrollment of the first participants in a Phase 1/2 study to 
evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a combination vaccine using Novavax' 
seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. The clinical trial combines Novavax' 
recombinant protein-based NVX-CoV2373 and NanoFlu(TM) vaccine candidates and 
patented saponin-based Matrix-M(TM) adjuvant in a single formulation 
(COVID-NanoFlu Combination Vaccine). Both NVX-CoV2373 and NanoFlu have 
previously demonstrated strong results as standalone vaccines in Phase 3 
clinical trials. 

"This study is the first-of-its-kind to evaluate the vaccine's potential to 
induce a robust immune response, augmented by our Matrix-M adjuvant, against 
two life-threatening diseases simultaneously," said Gregory M. Glenn, M.D., 
President of Research and Development, Novavax. "The combination of these two 
vaccines, which have individually delivered outstanding results with favorable 
safety and tolerability profiles, may lead to greater efficiencies for the 
healthcare system and achieve high levels of protection against COVID-19 and 
influenza with a single regimen." 

The trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability and immune response to NanoFlu 
formulated together with NVX-CoV2373 and Matrix-M adjuvant in 640 healthy 
adults 50 to 70 years of age. Participants will have been either previously 
infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 or vaccinated through 
an authorized vaccine at least eight weeks prior to enrollment. All 
participants will be randomly assigned to cohorts to evaluate multiple 
formulations and will be dosed on Day 0 and again at Day 56. The trial will be 
conducted in Australia at up to 12 study sites, with results expected during 
the first half of 2022. 

In preclinical studies ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3283188-1&h=1854070235&u=https%3A%2F%2Fir.novavax.com%2F2021-05-10-Novavax-Announces-Positive-Preclinical-Data-for-Combination-Influenza-and-COVID-19-Vaccine-Candidate&a=preclinical+studies 
), the COVID-NanoFlu Combination Vaccine demonstrated robust, functional immune 
responses to each component of the quadrivalent influenza vaccine and the 
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, with Matrix-M adjuvant playing a key role. 

In a Phase 3 clinical trial with nearly 30,000 adults in the United States and 
Mexico, NVX-CoV2373 demonstrated ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3283188-1&h=327581556&u=https%3A%2F%2Fir.novavax.com%2F2021-06-14-Novavax-COVID-19-Vaccine-Demonstrates-90-Overall-Efficacy-and-100-Protection-Against-Moderate-and-Severe-Disease-in-PREVENT-19-Phase-3-Trial&a=demonstrated 
) 100% protection against moderate and severe COVID-19 infection and 90.4% 
efficacy overall. In a pivotal Phase 3 trial conducted among adults aged 65 and 
older, NanoFlu achieved the primary endpoints, demonstrating non-inferior 
immunogenicity to a licensed comparator on all four influenza virus strains 
included in the vaccine, while also showing both enhanced wild-type 
hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody responses against homologous and multiple 
heterologous A/H3N2 strains, and potent induction of T cell responses. 

NVX-CoV2373 has also been evaluated ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3283188-1&h=1072184429&u=https%3A%2F%2Fir.novavax.com%2F2021-06-14-Novavax-Announces-Positive-Results-from-First-Study-of-Influenza-Vaccine-and-COVID-19-Vaccine-Candidate-Administered-Simultaneously&a=evaluated 
) in a co-administration study where it was administered simultaneously with an 
approved influenza vaccine. The study demonstrated that vaccine efficacy 
appeared to be preserved in those receiving both vaccines compared to those 
vaccinated with NVX-CoV2373 alone.

About NVX-CoV2373

NVX-CoV2373 is a protein-based vaccine candidate engineered from the genetic 
sequence of the first strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 
disease. NVX-CoV2373 was created using Novavax' recombinant nanoparticle 
technology to generate antigen derived from the coronavirus spike (S) protein 
and is formulated with Novavax' patented saponin-based Matrix-M(TM) adjuvant to 
enhance the immune response and stimulate high levels of neutralizing 
antibodies. NVX-CoV2373 contains purified protein antigen and can neither 
replicate, nor can it cause COVID-19. In preclinical studies, NVX-CoV2373 
induced antibodies that blocked the binding of spike protein to cellular 
receptors and provided protection from infection and disease. It was generally 
well-tolerated and elicited robust antibody response in Phase 1/2 clinical 
testing.

NVX-CoV2373 is being evaluated in two pivotal Phase 3 trials: a trial in the 
U.K. that demonstrated efficacy of 96.4% against the original virus strain, 
86.3% against the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant and 89.7% efficacy overall; and the 
PREVENT-19 trial in the U.S. and Mexico that demonstrated 100% protection 
against moderate and severe disease and 90.4% efficacy overall. It is also 
being tested in two ongoing Phase 2 studies that began in August 2020: A Phase 
2b trial in South Africa that demonstrated 55% efficacy overall in HIV-negative 
participants and 48.6% efficacy against a newly emerging escape variant first 
described in South Africa, and a Phase 1/2 continuation in the U.S. and 
Australia.

NVX-CoV2373 is stored and stable at 2 degrees – 8 degrees C, allowing the use 
of existing vaccine supply chain channels for its distribution. It is packaged 
in a ready-to-use liquid formulation in 10-dose vials. Recombinant spike 
protein used in this study was manufactured at Novavax' plant located in the 
Czech Republic.

About Matrix-M(TM) Adjuvant

Novavax' patented saponin-based Matrix-M(TM) adjuvant has demonstrated a potent 
and well-tolerated effect by stimulating the entry of antigen-presenting cells 
into the injection site and enhancing antigen presentation in local lymph 
nodes, boosting immune response.

About NanoFlu(TM)

NanoFlu(TM) is a quadrivalent recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) protein 
nanoparticle influenza vaccine produced by Novavax in its SF9 insect cell 
baculovirus system. NanoFlu uses HA amino acid protein sequences that are the 
same as the recommended wild-type circulating virus HA sequences. NanoFlu 
contains Novavax' patented saponin-based Matrix-M(TM) adjuvant.

About Novavax

Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX) is a biotechnology company that promotes improved 
health globally through the discovery, development and commercialization of 
innovative vaccines to prevent serious infectious diseases. The company's 
proprietary recombinant technology platform combines the power and speed of 
genetic engineering to efficiently produce highly immunogenic nanoparticles 
designed to address urgent global health needs. Novavax is conducting 
late-stage clinical trials for NVX-CoV2373, its vaccine candidate against 
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. NanoFlu(TM), its quadrivalent 
influenza nanoparticle vaccine, met all primary objectives in its pivotal Phase 
3 clinical trial in older adults and will be advanced for regulatory 
submission. Both vaccine candidates incorporate Novavax' proprietary 
saponin-based Matrix-M(TM) adjuvant to enhance the immune response and 
stimulate high levels of neutralizing antibodies.

For more information, visit www.novavax.com and connect with us on Twitter ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3283188-1&h=1345976720&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3158017-1%26h%3D500821283%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Ftwitter.com%252FNovavax%26a%3DTwitter&a=Twitter 
) and LinkedIn ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3283188-1&h=1202431571&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3158017-1%26h%3D3702938248%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.linkedin.com%252Fcompany%252Fnovavax%252F%26a%3DLinkedIn&a=LinkedIn 
).

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements herein relating to the future of Novavax, its operating plans and 
prospects, the ongoing development of NVX-CoV2373 and its partnerships, and 
other Novavax vaccine product candidates, the efficacy, safety and intended 
utilization of our product candidates, the timing of results from clinical 
trials, and the potential for a combination NanoFlu and NVX-CoV2373 vaccine to 
lead to greater efficiencies for the healthcare system and achieve high levels 
of protection against COVID-19 and influenza are forward looking statements. 
Novavax cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous 
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially 
from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and 
uncertainties include challenges satisfying, alone or together with partners, 
various safety, efficacy, and product characterization requirements, including 
those related to process qualification and assay validation, necessary to 
satisfy applicable regulatory authorities; difficulty obtaining scarce raw 
materials and supplies; resource constraints, including human capital and 
manufacturing capacity, on the ability of Novavax to pursue planned regulatory 
pathways; challenges meeting contractual requirements under agreements with 
multiple commercial, governmental, and other entities; and those other risk 
factors identified in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of Novavax' 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and subsequent 
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC). We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on 
forward-looking statements contained in this press release. You are encouraged 
to read our filings with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov and www.novavax.com, 
for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The 
forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of 
this document, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of the 
statements. Our business is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, 
including those referenced above. Investors, potential investors, and others 
should give careful consideration to these risks and uncertainties.

Contacts:

Investors
Novavax, Inc. 
Erika Schultz | +1 240-268-2022
ir@novavax.com

Solebury Trout
Alexandra Roy | +1 617-221-9197
aroy@soleburytrout.com

Media
Ali Chartan | +1 240-720-7804
Laura Keenan Lindsey | +1 202-709-7521 
media@novavax.com

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SOURCE  Novavax, Inc.
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