HQ Team
February 14, 2023: Novavax, a US biotechnology company, announced it would deliver 1.5 million doses of its COVID-19 adjuvanted vaccine to the government.
The agreement will maintain the US public’s access to Novavax’s vaccine and support the development of smaller dose vials and strain selection in line with FDA recommendations, according to a company statement.
The Maryland-based company, which makes vaccines for serious infectious diseases, had an existing agreement with the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense.
It now has modified the deal on the supply of the vaccine. The revised agreement also includes the development of an updated vaccine in the fall of 2023.
An adjuvant is an ingredient in some vaccines that helps create a more robust immune response in people receiving the vaccine to make it work better.
Revenue forecast
Novavax, in November, had narrowed down its revenue forecast for 2022 to $2 billion from $2.3 billion as sales of its COVID-19 vaccine slowed.
Net loss of $169 million for the third quarter improved from the second quarter year-on-year of $322 million.
The company didn’t elaborate on the deal’s financial details with the government to supply NVX-CoV2373 or Nuvaxovid.
“This agreement acknowledges the need to offer the American people a diverse COVID-19 vaccine portfolio,” said John C. Jacobs, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novavax.
It “underscores the importance of Novavax’s partnership with the US government to ensure continuous access to a protein-based option as part of public health measures.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the US government on developing our COVID-19 vaccine to meet the requirements of the FDA and our commercial customers for the upcoming 2023/2024 vaccination campaign.”
Emergency use
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, adjuvanted, received emergency use authorization from the USFDA to prevent COVID-19 in adults aged 18 and older and in adolescents aged between 12 and 17 as a first booster dose.
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, an adjuvanted vaccine, has not been approved or licensed by the USFDA, but has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 as a primary series in individuals 12 years of age and older.
The Novavax COVID-19 adjuvanted vaccine is also authorized to provide a first booster dose at least six months after completion of primary vaccination.
The vaccine is not advised for individuals with a known history of severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis.
Clinical trial data provide evidence for increased risks of myocarditis and pericarditis following administration of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, adjuvanted.
Individuals receiving immunosuppressant therapy may have a diminished immune response to the Novavax COVID-19 ˇaccine adjuvanted.
