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Friday, February 04 2022 - 10:14
AsiaNet
New Zealand's Medsafe Grants Provisional Approval for Novavax' COVID-19 Vaccine
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Feb. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

-- Nuvaxovid(TM) is the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine to receive 
provisional approval for distribution in New Zealand

Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing 
and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, 
today announced that New Zealand's Medsafe has granted provisional approval of 
NVX-CoV2373, Novavax' COVID-19 vaccine (adjuvanted), for active immunization to 
prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 in individuals 
18 years of age and older. The vaccine will be supplied to New Zealand under 
the brand name Nuvaxovid(TM).

"The provisional approval of Nuvaxovid by Medsafe will enable Novavax to 
deliver the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine to New Zealand," said Stanley 
C. Erck, President and Chief Executive Officer, Novavax. "We thank Medsafe for 
its thorough review and, as the pandemic continues to evolve, we remain 
committed to supporting New Zealand and the world in the fight against 
COVID-19."

The provisional approval by Medsafe is based on evaluation of the quality, 
safety, and efficacy data submitted for review. This includes two pivotal Phase 
3 clinical trials: PREVENT-19 enrolled approximately 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=3432645-1&h=2433878965&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 almost 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=3432645-1&h=422938908&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 efficacy and a reassuring safety 
and tolerability profile. Serious and severe adverse events were low in number 
and balanced between vaccine and placebo groups. The most common adverse 
reactions observed during clinical studies (frequency category of very common > 
or = 1/10) were headache, nausea or vomiting, myalgia, arthralgia, injection 
site tenderness/pain, fatigue, and malaise. 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.

Novavax and the New Zealand Government previously announced ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3432645-1&h=2036670988&u=https%3A%2F%2Fir.novavax.com%2F2020-12-16-Novavax-Announces-Agreement-with-Government-of-New-Zealand-for-10-7-Million-Doses-of-COVID-19-Vaccine&a=announced 
) an advance purchase agreement (APA) for 10.7 million doses of Novavax' 
COVID-19 vaccine. This provisional approval leverages Novavax' manufacturing 
partnership with Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine 
manufacturer by volume, which will supply initial doses to New Zealand. The 
provisional approval will later be supplemented with data from additional 
manufacturing sites in Novavax' global supply chain.

Novavax received conditional marketing authorization for NVX-CoV2373 in the 
European Union ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3432645-1&h=3389525956&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3418278-1%26h%3D4293825725%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fc212.net%252Fc%252Flink%252F%253Ft%253D0%2526l%253Den%2526o%253D3397167-1%2526h%253D2118831841%2526u%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fir.novavax.com%25252F2021-12-20-European-Commission-Grants-Conditional-Marketing-Authorization-for-Novavax-COVID-19-Vaccine%2526a%253Dconditional%252Bmarketing%252Bauthorization%26a%3DEuropean%2BUnion&a=European+Union 
), emergency use listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3432645-1&h=2742482411&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3418278-1%26h%3D3156131270%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fir.novavax.com%252F2021-12-20-World-Health-Organization-Grants-Second-Emergency-Use-Listing-for-Novavax-COVID-19-Vaccine%26a%3DWorld%2BHealth%2BOrganization&a=World+Health+Organization 
) (WHO), and was granted provisional registration by the Therapeutic Goods 
Administration in Australia ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3432645-1&h=3461596166&u=https%3A%2F%2Fir.novavax.com%2F2022-01-19-Australia-Therapeutic-Goods-Administration-TGA-Grants-Provisional-Registration-for-Novavax-COVID-19-Vaccine&a=Australia 
), among others. The vaccine is also currently under review by multiple 
regulatory agencies worldwide, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
(FDA).

For more information on Nuvaxovid, including the approved New Zealand Datasheet 
and approved Consumer Medicine 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=3432645-1&h=3408202368&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.novavaxcovidvaccine.com%2F&a=global+authorization+website 
)

    -- COVID-19 Vaccine Status of Applications ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3432645-1&h=2226689184&u=https%3A%2F%2Fnam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.medsafe.govt.nz%252FCOVID-19%252Fstatus-of-applications.asp%2523Novavax%26data%3D04%257C01%257Cnyhubs%2540prnewswire.com%257Cc346f1ee32474e31846c08d9e69f536f%257C887bf9ee3c824b88bcb280d5e169b99b%257C1%257C0%257C637794394239812961%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%26sdata%3Dc7hOVwrMO5JimQzKboM8RUrV1ogx5LbTS1hTFTQ%252B37s%253D%26reserved%3D0&a=COVID-19+Vaccine+Status+of+Applications 
)

    -- Information for Prescribers/Consumers Search ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3432645-1&h=2364611159&u=https%3A%2F%2Fnam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.medsafe.govt.nz%252FMedicines%252FinfoSearch.asp%26data%3D04%257C01%257Cnyhubs%2540prnewswire.com%257Cc346f1ee32474e31846c08d9e69f536f%257C887bf9ee3c824b88bcb280d5e169b99b%257C1%257C0%257C637794394239822918%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%26sdata%3DbGTJMCg95Zx73e1GQ85AROsLeXjw8i2Ox%252Fzm4AV%252FJl8%253D%26reserved%3D0&a=Information+for+Prescribers%2FConsumers+Search 
)

The brand name Nuvaxovid(TM) has not yet been authorized for use in the U.S. by 
the FDA. Novavax' sponsor in Australia and New Zealand is Biocelect Pty. Ltd. 

Provisional Approval of Nuvaxovid(TM) in New Zealand
Medsafe has granted provisional approval of Nuvaxovid(TM) COVID-19 Vaccine 
(adjuvanted) for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 
in individuals 18 years of age and older. 

Important Safety Information

    -- Nuvaxovid 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 following the 
       administration of the vaccine. A second dose of the vaccine should not 
       be given to those who have experienced anaphylaxis to the first dose 
       of Nuvaxovid. 

    -- Anxiety-related reactions, including vasovagal reactions (syncope), 
       hyperventilation, or stressĀ]related reactions may occur in association 
       with vaccination as a psychogenic 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. 

    -- Nuvaxovid should be given 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. 

    -- Administration of Nuvaxovid in pregnancy should only be considered 
       when the potential benefits outweigh any potential risks for the 
       mother and fetus. 

    -- The effects with Nuvaxovid may temporarily affect the ability to drive 
       or use machines. 

    -- 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 > or = 1/10) were headache, nausea 
       or vomiting, myalgia, arthralgia, injection site tenderness/pain, 
       fatigue, and malaise.

For additional safety information, please visit www.NovavaxCovidVaccine.com for 
the full New Zealand Datasheet and New Zealand Consumer Medicine Information. 
Information regarding adverse event reporting instructions can also be found at 
www.NovavaxCovidVaccine.com.

Information on this vaccine is also available on the New Zealand Medsafe 
website at www.medsafe.govt.nz.

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 degrees - 8 degrees Celsius, enabling the use 
of existing vaccine supply and cold chain channels. Use of the vaccine should 
be in accordance with official recommendations.

Novavax has established partnerships for the manufacture, commercialization and 
distribution of NVX-CoV2373 worldwide. Existing authorizations leverage 
Novavax' manufacturing partnership with Serum Institute of India (SII), the 
world's largest vaccine manufacturer by volume. They will later be supplemented 
with data from additional manufacturing sites throughout Novavax' global supply 
chain.

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

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 after the second dose in both studies. Full results of the trial were 
published in the New England Journal of Medicine ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3432645-1&h=164167344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nejm.org%2Fdoi%2Ffull%2F10.1056%2FNEJMoa2116185%3Fquery%3Dfeatured_home&a=New+England+Journal+of+Medicine 
) (NEJM).

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. Full results of the trial were 
published in NEJM ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3432645-1&h=3316844790&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nejm.org%2Fdoi%2Ffull%2F10.1056%2FNEJMoa2107659&a=NEJM 
).

About Matrix-M(TM) Adjuvant
Novavax' patented saponin-based Matrix-M(TM) adjuvant has demonstrated a potent 
and generally 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, has received authorization from multiple regulatory 
authorities globally, including Conditional Marketing Authorization from the 
European Commission and Emergency Use Listing from the World Health 
Organization. The vaccine is also under review by multiple regulatory agencies 
worldwide. 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 LinkedIn ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3432645-1&h=1093126257&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3418278-1%26h%3D3467374263%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fc212.net%252Fc%252Flink%252F%253Ft%253D0%2526l%253Den%2526o%253D3260461-1%2526h%253D1508558197%2526u%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fc212.net%25252Fc%25252Flink%25252F%25253Ft%25253D0%252526l%25253Den%252526o%25253D3158017-1%252526h%25253D3702938248%252526u%25253Dhttps%2525253A%2525252F%2525252Fwww.linkedin.com%2525252Fcompany%2525252Fnovavax%2525252F%252526a%25253DLinkedIn%2526a%253DLinkedIn%26a%3DLinkedIn&a=LinkedIn 
).

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 provisional approval with data from the additional 
manufacturing sites in Novavax' global supply chain, the potential impact of 
Novavax and NVX-CoV2373 in addressing vaccine access, controlling the pandemic 
and protecting populations, the efficacy, safety and intended utilization of 
NVX-CoV2373, and the expected 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

Anne-Marie Sparrow
+61 417 421 560
anne-marie@cube.com.au 

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SOURCE Novavax, Inc.