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Wednesday, June 08 2022 - 09:16
AsiaNet
FDA Advisory Committee Recommends Emergency Use Authorization of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine for People Aged 18 Years and Older
GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 7, 2022 /ASIANET-PRNewswire/ --

 --Novavax COVID-19 vaccine receives positive vote from U.S. Food and Drug 
   Administration Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee
 --If Emergency Use Authorization is granted by the FDA, the Novavax COVID-19 
   vaccine would become the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine available in 
   the U.S.

Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing 
and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, 
today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccines and 
Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) voted 21 to 0, with one 
abstention, to recommend that the FDA grant Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) 
for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) for individuals aged 18 years 
and over.

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

"The advisory committee's positive recommendation acknowledges the strength of 
our data and the importance of a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine developed using 
an innovative approach to traditional vaccine technology," said Stanley C. 
Erck, President and Chief Executive Officer, Novavax. "In today's VRBPAC 
meeting, we heard the overwhelming support for our vaccine from physicians, 
healthcare organizations, and consumers who are eagerly anticipating a 
protein-based vaccine option. Consistent with submissions to regulatory 
authorities worldwide, we have already submitted an amendment with updated 
manufacturing information for the EUA to the FDA for review. We look forward to 
collaborating with the FDA as it makes its final decision."

The VRBPAC considered data from the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, PREVENT-19, 
which enrolled approximately 30,000 participants aged 18 years and older in the 
U.S. and Mexico and was published in the New England Journal of Medicine ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3560647-1&h=3880827182&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3407775-1%26h%3D907997649%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nejm.org%252Fdoi%252Ffull%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa2116185%253Fquery%253Dfeatured_home%26a%3DNew%2BEngland%2BJournal%2Bof%2BMedicine&a=New+England+Journal+of+Medicine 
). In the trial, the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated 90.4% efficacy (95% 
confidence interval [CI], 82.9 to 94.6; P<0.001) with a reassuring safety 
profile. Serious and severe adverse events were low in number and balanced 
between vaccine and placebo groups. The most common adverse reactions observed 
during the trial (frequency category of very common greater than or equal to 
1/10) were headache, nausea or vomiting, myalgia, arthralgia, injection site 
tenderness/pain, fatigue, and malaise. The data showed that overall the rate of 
myocarditis was balanced between the vaccine and placebo arms (0.007% and 
0.005%) and in the post-crossover portions of Novavax trials the observed cases 
were all within the expected rate.

The FDA considers the recommendations of VRBPAC when making decisions on EUA.

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine has received authorization for use in individuals 
aged 18 and over from more than 40 countries in addition to Emergency Use 
Listing ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3560647-1&h=482690262&u=https%3A%2F%2Fir.novavax.com%2F2021-12-20-World-Health-Organization-Grants-Second-Emergency-Use-Listing-for-Novavax-COVID-19-Vaccine&a=Emergency+Use+Listing 
) from the World Health Organization.

Authorization in the U.S.

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) has not yet been authorized for use 
in the U.S.

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. The 
vaccine 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.

The 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, 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 continues being evaluated in two pivotal Phase 3 trials.

PREVENT-19 (the PRE-fusion protein subunit Vaccine Efficacy Novavax Trial | 
COVID-19) is a 2:1 randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded trial to 
evaluate the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2373 with Matrix-M 
adjuvant in 29,960 participants 18 years of age and over in 119 locations in 
the U.S. and Mexico. The primary endpoint for PREVENT-19 was the first 
occurrence of PCR-confirmed symptomatic (mild, moderate or severe) COVID-19 
with onset at least seven 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. In the 
trial, NVX-CoV2373 achieved 90.4% efficacy overall. 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=3560647-1&h=2360709328&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3440781-1%26h%3D467849857%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nejm.org%252Fdoi%252Ffull%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa2116185%253Fquery%253Dfeatured_home%26a%3DNew%2BEngland%2BJournal%2Bof%2BMedicine&a=New+England+Journal+of+Medicine 
).

The pediatric expansion of PREVENT-19 is a 2:1 randomized, placebo-controlled, 
observer-blinded trial to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and efficacy of 
NVX-CoV2373 with Matrix-M adjuvant in 2,247 adolescent participants 12 to 17 
years of age in 73 locations in the United States, compared with placebo. In 
the pediatric trial, NVX-CoV2373 achieved its primary effectiveness endpoint 
(non-inferiority of the neutralizing antibody response compared to young adult 
participants 18 through 25 years of age from PREVENT-19) and demonstrated 80% 
efficacy overall at a time when the Delta variant of concern was the 
predominant circulating strain in the U.S. Additionally, immune responses were 
about two-to-three-fold higher in adolescents than in adults against all 
variants studied.

PREVENT-19 is being conducted with support from the U.S. government, including 
the Department of Defense, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development 
Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS), and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of 
the National Institutes of Health at HHS. BARDA is providing up to $1.75 
billion under a Department of Defense agreement (# MCDC2011-001).

Additionally, a trial conducted in the U.K. with 14,039 participants aged 18 
years and over 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 seven 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=3560647-1&h=1866415503&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3440781-1%26h%3D3617137863%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nejm.org%252Fdoi%252Ffull%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa2107659%26a%3DNEJM&a=NEJM 
).

About Matrix-M(TM) Adjuvant

Novavax' patented saponin-based Matrix-M 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 currently under review by multiple 
regulatory agencies worldwide and will soon be under review in the U.S. for use 
in adults, adolescents and as a booster. In addition to its COVID-19 vaccine, 
Novavax is also currently evaluating a COVID-seasonal influenza combination 
vaccine candidate in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial, which combines NVX-CoV2373 and 
NanoFlu*, its quadrivalent influenza investigational vaccine candidate, and is 
also evaluating an Omicron strain-based vaccine (NVX-CoV2515) as well as a 
bivalent Omicron-based / original strain-based vaccine. These vaccine 
candidates incorporate Novavax' proprietary saponin-based Matrix-M 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/ ).
*NanoFlu identifies a recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) protein nanoparticle 
influenza vaccine candidate produced by Novavax. This investigational candidate 
was evaluated during a controlled phase 3 trial conducted during the 2019-2020 
influenza season. 

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, including an Omicron strain based vaccine, a 
COVID-seasonal influenza investigational vaccine candidate, the scope, timing 
and outcome of future regulatory filings and actions, including the FDA's 
upcoming decision regarding EUA for Novavax' COVID-19 vaccine candidate, and 
Novavax' subsequent discussions with the CDC, Novavax' plans to supplement 
existing authorizations with data from the additional manufacturing sites in 
Novavax' global supply chain, additional worldwide authorizations of 
NVX-CoV2373 for use in adults and adolescents, and as a booster, 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 expected administration 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; unanticipated challenges or delays in conducting 
clinical trials; 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 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
Alex Delacroix | 240-268-2022
ir@novavax.com

Media
Ali Chartan | 240-720-7804
media@novavax.com
 
SOURCE   Novavax, Inc.
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