Country for PR: United States
Contributor: PR Newswire New York
Tuesday, July 26 2022 - 22:05
AsiaNet
Novavax Announces Expanded Approval of Nuvaxovid(TM) COVID-19 Vaccine for Adolescents Aged 12 through 17 in Japan
GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire-Asianet/ --

-- Nuvaxovid(TM) is the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine approved for use 
     in adolescents in Japan


Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing 
and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, 
today announced that Nuvaxovid(TM) (NVX-CoV2373) COVID-19 vaccine received 
expanded manufacturing and marketing approval from the Japan Ministry of 
Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for primary immunization to prevent 
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory 
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in adolescents aged 12 through 17. Novavax 
has partnered with Takeda to develop, manufacture, and distribute Nuvaxovid in 
Japan.

"We are pleased to work with Takeda to offer Nuvaxovid(TM), a protein-based 
vaccine, to adolescents in Japan," said Stanley C. Erck, President and Chief 
Executive Officer, Novavax. "As COVID-19 continues to surge in the country, 
this approval offers another option to help protect the health of the people of 
Japan and help bolster the vaccination rate."

The expanded approval was based on data from the ongoing pediatric expansion ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3603602-1&h=1588304045&u=https%3A%2F%2Fir.novavax.com%2F2022-02-10-Novavax-Announces-Positive-Results-of-COVID-19-Vaccine-in-Pediatric-Population-of-PREVENT-19-Phase-3-Clinical-Trial&a=pediatric+expansion 

)of PREVENT-19, a pivotal Phase 3 trial of 2,247 adolescents aged 12 through 17 
years across 73 sites in the U.S., to evaluate the safety, effectiveness 
(immunogenicity), and efficacy of Nuvaxovid. In the trial, Nuvaxovid achieved 
its primary effectiveness endpoint and demonstrated 80% clinical efficacy 
overall at a time when the Delta variant was the predominant circulating 
SARS-CoV-2 strain in the U.S. 

Preliminary safety data from the trial showed the vaccine to be generally 
well-tolerated. Serious and severe adverse events were low in number and 
balanced between vaccine and placebo groups, and not considered related to the 
vaccine. Local and systemic reactogenicity was generally lower than or similar 
to adults, after the first and second dose. The most common adverse reactions 
observed were injection site tenderness/pain, headache, myalgia, fatigue, and 
malaise. There was no increase in reactogenicity in younger (12 to <15 years 
old) adolescents compared to older (15 to <18 years old) adolescents. No new 
safety signal was observed through the placebo-controlled portion of the study.

Novavax 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.

In the 12 through 17 year-old population, Nuvaxovid has been granted 
conditional authorization in the European Union ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3603602-1&h=3869587816&u=https%3A%2F%2Fir.novavax.com%2F2022-07-05-Novavax-Nuvaxovid-TM-COVID-19-Vaccine-Conditionally-Authorized-in-the-European-Union-for-Adolescents-Aged-12-Through-17&a=European+Union 

), emergency use authorization in India ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3603602-1&h=789423915&u=https%3A%2F%2Fir.novavax.com%2F2022-03-22-Novavax-and-Serum-Institute-of-India-Announce-First-Emergency-Use-Authorization-of-Novavax-COVID-19-Vaccine-in-Adolescents-12-to-18-in-India&a=India 

), and provisional registration in Australia, and is actively under review in 
other markets.

The MHLW previously approved Nuvaxovid for individuals aged 18 and older in 
April 2022 ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3603602-1&h=4055902617&u=https%3A%2F%2Fir.novavax.com%2F2022-04-19-Novavax-Announces-Approval-of-Nuvaxovid-TM-COVID-19-Vaccine-for-Primary-and-Booster-Immunization-in-Japan&a=April+2022 
).

Trade Name in the U.S.

The trade name Nuvaxovid(TM) 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 stress-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 more information on Nuvaxovid, including the Summary of Product 
Characteristics with Package Leaflet, Prescribing Information and Important 
Safety Information, adverse event reporting instructions, or to request 
additional information, please visit the following website:

  --Takeda ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3603602-1&h=964599268&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.takedamed.com%2Fgo-beyond-covid-19.jp%2Fmedical%2F&a=Takeda 
)


About TAK-019 Clinical Trial

This placebo-controlled Phase 1/2 study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier 
NCT04712110) 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 Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (NVX-CoV2373)

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (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. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine 
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 its COVID-19 vaccine 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 Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) Phase 3 Trials

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (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 the Novavax COVID-19 
vaccine with Matrix-M adjuvant in 29,960 participants 18 years of age and older 
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, the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine 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 New England Journal of Medicine  (  
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2116185?query=featured_home  ) 
(NEJM). 
The pediatric expansion of PREVENT-19 is a 2:1 randomized, placebo-controlled, 
observer-blinded trial to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and efficacy of 
the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine 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, the vaccine 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. 

Additionally, 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 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=3603602-1&h=1782443881&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. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, 
has received authorization from multiple regulatory authorities globally, 
including the U.S., European Commission and the World Health Organization. The 
vaccine is currently under review by multiple regulatory agencies worldwide, 
including for additional indications and populations such as 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 potential for subsequent orders from the U.S. 
government for additional doses of NVX-CoV2373 and other potential 
formulations, the timing of clinical trial results, the ongoing development of 
NVX-CoV2373, including an Omicron strain based vaccine and bivalent 
Omicron-based / original strain based vaccine, a COVID-seasonal influenza 
investigational vaccine candidate, the scope, timing and outcome of future 
regulatory filings and actions, including 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 evolving COVID-19 pandemic, 
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 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; 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; unanticipated 
challenges or delays in conducting clinical trials; 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 | +1 240-268-2022
ir@novavax.com

Media
Ali Chartan or Giovanna Chandler | +1 202-709-5563
media@novavax.com

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SOURCE  Novavax, Inc.
Translations

Japanese