Country for PR: United States
Contributor: PR Newswire New York
Wednesday, December 22 2021 - 10:00
AsiaNet
World Health Organization SAGE Issues Interim Recommendations for Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Dec. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

- WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) recommends 
primary two-dose vaccination series of NVX-CoV2373 in persons aged 18 and older

- SAGE recommends additional third dose of NVX-CoV2373 administered to 
immunocompromised persons

- Recommendation follows grant of WHO Emergency Use Listing for Novavax' vaccine

Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing 
and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, 
today announced that the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory 
Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) has published its interim 
recommendations ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3397167-1&h=4257857609&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.who.int%2Fpublications%2Fi%2Fitem%2FWHO-2019-nCoV-vaccines-SAGE-recommendation-novavax-nvx-cov2373&a=recommendations 
) for use of NVX-CoV2373, Novavax' recombinant nanoparticle protein-based 
COVID-19 vaccine with Matrix-M(TM) adjuvant. The recommendations follow 
Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of the vaccine by WHO, which will be manufactured 
and marketed as Nuvaxovid(TM) COVID-19 Vaccine (recombinant, adjuvanted) by 
Novavax in Europe and other markets, and as COVOVAX(TM) in India and licensed 
territories by the Serum Institute of India Pvt. Limited (SII). 

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1506866/Novavax_High_Res_Logo.jpg

"This interim recommendation from WHO provides helpful guidance for the use of 
our COVID-19 vaccine as countries that rely on EUL begin their own assessment 
and underscores the critical role that we expect the vaccine will play in the 
global fight against the coronavirus," said Stanley C. Erck, President and 
Chief Executive Officer, Novavax. "We look forward to delivering our 
recombinant protein-based vaccine to hundreds of millions of people around the 
world in partnership with our partner, Serum Institute of India." 

WHO recommends the following: 

    --  A 2-dose primary vaccination series of NVX-CoV2373 in persons aged 18
        years and older administered 3-4 weeks apart, as well as administration 
        of an additional dose of NVX-CoV2373 to immunocompromised persons
        between one and three months after dose 2 of the primary series;

    --  Use of the vaccine in specific populations, including persons with
        comorbidities, breastfeeding women, and those living with human
        immunodeficiency virus (HIV); 

    --  Use of NVX-CoV2373 vaccine in pregnant women if the benefits of
        vaccination to the pregnant woman outweigh the potential risks; and 

    --  Coadministration of an inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine and any
        dose of NVX-CoV2373 is acceptable.

The SAGE recommendation is based on the totality of preclinical and clinical 
trial data submitted for review. This includes two pivotal Phase 3 clinical 
trials: PREVENT-19 which included 30,000 participants in the U.S. and Mexico, 
the results of which were published in The New England Journal of Medicine ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3397167-1&h=1180942781&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3395363-1%26h%3D1255159614%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nejm.org%252Fdoi%252Ffull%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa2116185%253Fquery%253Dfeatured_home%26a%3DThe%2BNew%2BEngland%2BJournal%2Bof%2BMedicine&a=The+New+England+Journal+of+Medicine 
) (NEJM); and a trial with 15,000 participants in the U.K., the results of 
which were also published in NEJM ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3397167-1&h=3460580116&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3395363-1%26h%3D589938842%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nejm.org%252Fdoi%252Ffull%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa2107659%26a%3DNEJM&a=NEJM 
). In both trials, NVX-CoV2373 demonstrated high efficacy and an acceptable 
safety and tolerability profile. Novavax will continue to collect and analyze 
real-world data, including the monitoring of safety and the evaluation of 
variants, as the vaccine is distributed.

The WHO EULs for Nuvaxovid and COVOVAX leverage Novavax' manufacturing 
partnership with SII, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by volume, which 
will supply initial doses for the COVAX Facility. The EUL application for 
Nuvaxovid will later be supplemented with data from additional manufacturing 
sites in Novavax' global supply chain. 

Novavax recently received conditional marketing authorization ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3397167-1&h=2118831841&u=https%3A%2F%2Fir.novavax.com%2F2021-12-20-European-Commission-Grants-Conditional-Marketing-Authorization-for-Novavax-COVID-19-Vaccine&a=conditional+marketing+authorization 
) (CMA) for Nuvaxovid in the European Union, and Novavax and SII recently 
received emergency use authorization (EUA) for COVOVAX in Indonesia ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3397167-1&h=2344477942&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3362716-1%26h%3D3386714073%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fir.novavax.com%252F2021-11-01-Novavax-and-Serum-Institute-of-India-Receive-Emergency-Use-Authorization-for-COVID-19-Vaccine-in-Indonesia%26a%3DIndonesia&a=Indonesia 
) and the Philippines ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3397167-1&h=1901025019&u=https%3A%2F%2Fir.novavax.com%2F2021-11-17-Novavax-and-Serum-Institute-of-India-Receive-Emergency-Use-Authorization-for-COVID-19-Vaccine-in-the-Philippines&a=Philippines 
). The vaccine is also currently under review by multiple regulatory agencies 
worldwide. The company expects to submit its complete chemistry, manufacturing 
and controls (CMC) data package to the U.S. FDA for review by the end of 2021. 
The brand name Nuvaxovid has not yet been authorized for use in the U.S. by the 
U.S. FDA.

Novavax' COVID-19 vaccine is packaged as a ready-to-use liquid formulation in a 
vial containing ten doses. The vaccination regimen calls for two 0.5 ml doses 
(5 mcg antigen and 50 mcg Matrix-M adjuvant) given intramuscularly 21 days 
apart. The vaccine is stored at 2¡ã- 8¡ã Celsius, enabling the use of existing 
vaccine supply and cold chain channels. The current assigned shelf-life of the 
vaccine is 9 months.

For more information on Nuvaxovid and COVOVAX, including the Summary of Product 
Characteristics, Prescribing Information and Important Safety Information, or 
to request additional information please visit the following websites: 

    --  Novavax global authorization website ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3397167-1&h=475316360&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.novavaxcovidvaccine.com%2F&a=global+authorization+website 
) 
    --  World Health Organization ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3397167-1&h=1016472199&u=https%3A%2F%2Fextranet.who.int%2Fpqweb%2Fvaccines%2Fvaccinescovid-19-vaccine-eul-issued&a=World+Health+Organization 
) 
    --  Serum Institute of India ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3397167-1&h=3423473228&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3362716-1%26h%3D3594212714%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.seruminstitute.com%252Fproduct_overseas.php%26a%3DSerum%2BInstitute%2Bof%2BIndia&a=Serum+Institute+of+India 
)

Emergency Use Listing of Nuvaxovid(TM) and COVOVAX(TM) by the World Health 
Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued Emergency Use Listing for 
Nuvaxovid(TM) (SARS-CoV-2 rS vaccine [Recombinant, adjuvanted]), and 
COVOVAX/Recombinant Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Virus 5 mcg for active 
immunization of individual 18 years of age and older for the prevention of 
coronavirus disease 2019 caused by SARS-CoV-2.

Important Safety Information

    --  Nuvaxovid(TM) is contraindicated in persons who have a hypersensitivity
        to the active substance or to any of the excipients 
    --  Events of anaphylaxis have been reported with administration of COVID-
        19 vaccines. Appropriate medical treatment and supervision should be 
        available in case of an anaphylactic reaction 
    --  Anxiety-related reactions, including vasovagal reactions (syncope), 
        hyperventilation, or stress--related reactions may occur in association 
        with vaccination as a response to the needle injection. It is important 
        that precautions are in place to avoid injury from fainting 
    --  Vaccination should be postponed in individuals suffering from an acute
        severe febrile illness or acute infection 
    --  Give Nuvaxovid with caution in individuals receiving anticoagulant
        therapy or those with thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder 
        (such as haemophilia) because bleeding or bruising may occur following 
        an intramuscular administration in these individuals 
    --  The efficacy of Nuvaxovid may be lower in immunosuppressed individuals 
    --  The duration of protection afforded by the vaccine is unknown as it is 
        still being determined by ongoing clinical trials 
    --  Individuals may not be fully protected until 7 days after their second 
        dose. As with all vaccines, vaccination with Nuvaxovid may not protect 
        all vaccine recipients 
    --  The most common adverse reactions observed during clinical studies
        (frequency category of very common ¡Ý 1/10), were headache, nausea or
        vomiting, myalgia, arthralgia, injection site tenderness/pain, fatigue
        and malaise

Please visit https://www.novavaxcovidvaccine.com for the full leaflet and 
adverse reaction reporting instructions.

Authorization in the U.S.

NVX-CoV2373 has not yet been authorized for use in the U.S. and the trade name 
Nuvaxovid has not yet been approved by the U.S. FDA.

About NVX-CoV2373 

NVX-CoV2373 is a protein-based vaccine 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.

Novavax' COVID-19 vaccine is packaged as a ready-to-use liquid formulation in a 
vial containing ten doses. The vaccination regimen calls for two 0.5 ml doses 
(5 mcg antigen and 50 mcg Matrix-M adjuvant) given intramuscularly 21 days 
apart. The vaccine is stored at 2¡ã- 8¡ã Celsius, enabling the use of existing 
vaccine supply and cold chain channels.

Novavax has established partnerships for the manufacture, commercialization and 
distribution of NVX-CoV2373 worldwide.

About the NVX-CoV2373 Phase 3 trials

NVX-CoV2373 is being evaluated in two pivotal Phase 3 trials.

A trial conducted in the U.K. with 14,039 participants was designed as a 
randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded study and achieved overall 
efficacy of 89.7%. The primary endpoint was based on the first occurrence of 
PCR-confirmed symptomatic (mild, moderate or severe) COVID-19 with onset at 
least 7 days after the second study vaccination in serologically negative (to 
SARS-CoV-2) adult participants at baseline.

PREVENT-19, a trial in the U.S. and Mexico that enrolled almost 30,000 
participants, achieved 90.4% efficacy overall. It was designed as a 2:1 
randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded study to evaluate the 
efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2373. The primary endpoint for 
PREVENT-19 was the first occurrence of PCR-confirmed symptomatic (mild, 
moderate or severe) COVID-19 with onset at least 7 days after the second dose 
in serologically negative (to SARS-CoV-2) adult participants at baseline. The 
statistical success criterion included a lower bound of 95% CI >30%. The key 
secondary endpoint is the prevention of PCR-confirmed, symptomatic moderate or 
severe COVID-19. Both endpoints were assessed at least seven days after the 
second study vaccination in volunteers who had not been previously infected 
with SARS-CoV-2. It was generally well-tolerated and elicited a robust antibody 
response in both studies.

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 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 harnesses the power and speed of 
genetic engineering to efficiently produce highly immunogenic nanoparticles 
designed to address urgent global health needs. NVX-CoV2373, the company's 
COVID-19 vaccine, received Conditional Marketing Authorization from the 
European Commission, Emergency Use Listing from the World Health Organization, 
Emergency Use Authorization in Indonesia and the Philippines, and has been 
submitted for regulatory authorization in multiple markets globally. 
NanoFlu(TM), the company's quadrivalent influenza nanoparticle vaccine, met all 
primary objectives in its pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial in older adults. 
Novavax is currently evaluating a COVID-NanoFlu combination vaccine in a Phase 
1/2 clinical trial, which combines the company's NVX-CoV2373 and NanoFlu 
vaccine candidates. These 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=3397167-1&h=1742501891&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3260461-1%26h%3D1316526774%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fc212.net%252Fc%252Flink%252F%253Ft%253D0%2526l%253Den%2526o%253D3158017-1%2526h%253D500821283%2526u%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Ftwitter.com%25252FNovavax%2526a%253DTwitter%26a%3DTwitter&a=Twitter 
), LinkedIn ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3397167-1&h=534297300&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3260461-1%26h%3D1508558197%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fc212.net%252Fc%252Flink%252F%253Ft%253D0%2526l%253Den%2526o%253D3158017-1%2526h%253D3702938248%2526u%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.linkedin.com%25252Fcompany%25252Fnovavax%25252F%2526a%253DLinkedIn%26a%3DLinkedIn&a=LinkedIn 
), Instagram ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3397167-1&h=2205311444&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3367039-1%26h%3D3348182013%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.instagram.com%252Fnovavax%252F%26a%3DInstagram&a=Instagram 
) and Facebook ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3397167-1&h=1120223326&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FNovavax%2F&a=Facebook 
).

Forward-Looking Statements 

Statements herein relating to the future of Novavax, its operating plans and 
prospects, its partnerships, the ongoing development of NVX-CoV2373, the scope, 
timing and outcome of future regulatory filings and actions, including Novavax' 
plans to supplement the EUL application submitted to the WHO and, by the end of 
the year, to submit a complete CMC data package to the U.S. FDA, the potential 
impact of Novavax and NVX-CoV2373 in addressing vaccine access, controlling the 
pandemic and protecting populations, and Novavax' expected global delivery of 
NVX-CoV2373 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

SOURCE: Novavax, Inc.
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