Country for PR: United States
Contributor: PR Newswire New York
Tuesday, April 19 2022 - 23:01
AsiaNet
Novavax Announces Approval of Nuvaxovid(TM) COVID-19 Vaccine for Primary and Booster Immunization in Japan
GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

    -- Nuvaxovid is the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine approved for use 
       in adults aged 18 and older in Japan
    -- Approval is first in the world for NVX-CoV2373 that includes both 
       primary and booster vaccination

Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing 
and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, 
today announced that its partner, Takeda,  received manufacturing and marketing 
approval from the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for its 
Nuvaxovid(TM) Intramuscular Injection (Nuvaxovid), Novavax' novel recombinant 
protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, for primary and booster immunization in 
individuals aged 18 and older. Nuvaxovid (NVX-CoV2373 outside Japan and TAK-019 
in Japan) is the first protein-based vaccine to be authorized for use in Japan.

Stanley C. Erck, President and Chief Executive Officer, Novavax said: "Together 
with Takeda, we are pleased to be able to offer the first protein-based 
COVID-19 vaccine to adults aged 18 and over in Japan. This approval is 
significant because it includes both primary and booster vaccination. Our 
partnership with Takeda demonstrates our ongoing commitment to offer another 
option as public health officials consider the need for boosters and annual 
revaccination."

The approval is based on Takeda's New Drug Application submission which 
included positive interim results from a Phase 1/2 study conducted by Takeda in 
Japan and several studies conducted by Novavax, including two pivotal Phase 3 
clinical trials in the U.K. and U.S. and Mexico and Phase 1/2 studies in 
Australia and the U.S. Additional safety and efficacy data were submitted for 
booster immunization review, which included a Phase 2 study conducted by 
Novavax in South Africa for a single vaccination given six months after primary 
immunization.

Novavax licensed and transferred ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3508597-1&h=2390246494&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.takedavaccines.com%2Fnews%2Frelease%2Fnovavax-and-takeda-announce-collaboration-for--novavax-covid-19-vaccine-candidate-in-japan%2F&a=licensed+and+transferred 
) its manufacturing technologies and is supplying the Matrix-M(TM) adjuvant to 
enable Takeda to manufacture the vaccine at its Hikari facility. Takeda, the 
Marketing Authorization Holder for Nuvaxovid in Japan, will begin distribution 
of doses purchased by the Government of Japan as soon as possible.

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. Food and Drug Administration.

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. Close observation for at least 15 minutes 
       is recommended and 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. The presence of a minor 
       infection and/or low-grade fever should not delay vaccination.
    -- 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 
       foetus.
    -- 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 were 
       headache, nausea or vomiting, myalgia, arthralgia, injection site 
       tenderness/pain, fatigue, and malaise.

For additional safety information, including the full Summary of Product 
Characteristics with Package Leaflet, please visit www.NovavaxCovidVaccine.com.

About TAK-019 Clinical Trial

This placebo-controlled Phase 1/2 study in Japan evaluated the safety and 
immunogenicity of two vaccinations of TAK-019 given 21 days apart. The first of 
200 subjects aged 20 years and older was dosed in Japan on February 24, 2021, 
and each participant was assigned to receive a placebo or a 0.5 ml dose of 
TAK-019 at both vaccinations. Participants Subjects were followed for 12 months 
after the second dose of investigational product.

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 aged 18 years and older, 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%. A 
secondary endpoint was 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 (NEJM) ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3508597-1&h=3454798804&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3490095-1%26h%3D276014382%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fc212.net%252Fc%252Flink%252F%253Ft%253D0%2526l%253Den%2526o%253D3440781-1%2526h%253D467849857%2526u%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.nejm.org%25252Fdoi%25252Ffull%25252F10.1056%25252FNEJMoa2116185%25253Fquery%25253Dfeatured_home%2526a%253DNew%252BEngland%252BJournal%252Bof%252BMedicine%26a%3DNew%2BEngland%2BJournal%2Bof%2BMedicine&a=New+England+Journal+of+Medicine+(NEJM) 
).

A trial conducted in the U.K. with 14,039 participants aged 18 years and older 
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=3508597-1&h=3044567830&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3490095-1%26h%3D4093184113%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fc212.net%252Fc%252Flink%252F%253Ft%253D0%2526l%253Den%2526o%253D3440781-1%2526h%253D3617137863%2526u%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.nejm.org%25252Fdoi%25252Ffull%25252F10.1056%25252FNEJMoa2107659%2526a%253DNEJM%26a%3DNEJM&a=NEJM 
).

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, has received conditional authorization from multiple 
regulatory authorities globally, including the European Commission and the 
World Health Organization. The vaccine is also under review by multiple 
regulatory agencies worldwide. In addition to its COVID-19 vaccine, Novavax is 
also currently evaluating a COVID-seasonal influenza combination vaccine in a 
Phase 1/2 clinical trial, which combines NVX-CoV2373 and NanoFlu, its 
quadrivalent influenza investigational vaccine candidate. 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://www.linkedin.com/company/novavax/ ).

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements herein relating to the future of Novavax, its operating plans and 
prospects, its partnerships, the timing of clinical trial results, the ongoing 
development of NVX-CoV2373 and NanoFlu, its COVID-seasonal influenza 
investigational vaccine candidate, the scope, timing and outcome of future 
regulatory filings and actions, additional worldwide authorizations of 
NVX-CoV2373, the potential impact and reach 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 
distribution 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, 
without limitation, 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, 2021, 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
Erika Schultz | 240-268-2022
ir@novavax.com

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

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SOURCE Novavax, Inc.
Translations

Japanese