Initial Results from Novavax' COVID-19-Influenza Vaccine Trial are First to Show Feasibility of Combination Vaccine

Novavax, Inc.

PR95566

 

GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 21, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

 

    -- Phase 1/2 clinical trial of COVID-19-Influenza combination vaccine

       candidate indicates vaccine is well-tolerated and immunogenic

 

    -- Data from this combination trial will inform planned Phase 2 dose

       confirmation trial, scheduled to begin by the end of 2022

 

    -- Immune response confirmed in stand-alone influenza vaccine and

       combination vaccine with potential path forward for both

 

Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing

and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases,

today announced initial results from the Phase 1/2 clinical trial of its

COVID-Influenza Combination Vaccine (CIC). The CIC combines Novavax' COVID-19

vaccine, NVX-CoV2373, and its quadrivalent influenza vaccine candidate. The CIC

trial demonstrated that formulating the combination vaccine is feasible,

well-tolerated and immunogenic.

 

"We continue to evaluate the dynamic public health landscape and believe there

may be a need for recurrent boosters to fight both COVID-19 and seasonal

influenza," said Gregory M. Glenn, M.D., President of Research and Development,

Novavax. "We're encouraged by these data and the potential path forward for a

combination COVID-19-influenza vaccine as well as stand-alone vaccines for

influenza and COVID-19."

 

The safety and tolerability profile of the combination vaccine was consistent

with the stand-alone NVX-CoV2373 and quadrivalent nanoparticle influenza

vaccine reference formulations in the trial. The combination vaccine was found

to be generally well tolerated. Serious adverse were rare and none were

assessed as being related to the vaccine.

 

The study employed descriptive endpoints, assessing safety and the

immunological responses of different CIC vaccine formulations. A Design of

Experiments (DOE) modeling-based approach was used to design the trial,

enabling more powerful fine-tuning of dose selection of both the COVID-19 and

influenza antigens for further development compared to traditional approaches.

The preliminary trial results found that various CIC vaccine formulations

induced immune responses in participants comparable to reference stand-alone

influenza and stand-alone COVID-19 vaccine formulations (for H1N1, H3N2,

B-Victoria HA and SARS-CoV-2 rS antigens). Modeling results also showed that a

combined formulation has the potential to reduce total antigen amount by up to

50% overall, optimizing production and delivery.

 

Both protein-based vaccines used in the trial were formulated with the patented

saponin-based Matrix-M(TM) adjuvant to enhance the immune response and

stimulate high levels of neutralizing antibodies. These data support

advancement to a Phase 2 confirmation trial, expected to begin by the end of

2022.

 

Data from the trial were presented at the World Vaccine Congress (WVC) in

Washington, DC.

 

Influenza Program Update

 

At the WVC, Novavax also reviewed key findings from the Phase 3 trial of its

stand-alone influenza candidate, previously referred to as NanoFlu, which met

its primary immunogenicity endpoint. These results have previously been

published in The Lancet (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3510692-1&h=3626900746&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thelancet.com%2Fjournals%2Flaninf%2Farticle%2FPIIS1473-3099(21)00192-4%2Ffulltext&a=The+Lancet).

 

Authorization in the U.S.

 

Neither NVX-CoV2373 or the influenza vaccine candidate have been authorized or

approved for use in the U.S. by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

 

Important Safety Information for NVX-CoV2373

 

    -- NVX-CoV2373 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 NVX-CoV2373.

 

    -- 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.

 

    -- NVX-CoV2373 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 NVX-CoV2373 may be lower in immunosuppressed individuals.

 

    -- Administration of NVX-CoV2373 in pregnancy should only be considered

       when the potential benefits outweigh any potential risks for the mother

       and foetus.

 

    -- The effects with NVX-CoV2373 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 NVX-CoV2373 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 the COVID-19-Influenza Combination Vaccine Phase 1/2 trial

 

The Phase 1/2 CIC vaccine trial is evaluating a combination of Novavax'

recombinant protein-based NVX-CoV2373 and influenza vaccine candidates and

patented saponin-based Matrix-M adjuvant in a single formulation. The trial

will evaluate the safety, tolerability and immune response to the combination

vaccine in 642 healthy adults 50 to 70 years of age. Participants will have

been either previously infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19

or vaccinated through an authorized vaccine at least eight weeks prior to

enrollment. All participants will be randomly assigned to cohorts to evaluate

multiple formulations and will be dosed on Day 0 and again at Day 56. The trial

is being conducted in Australia at 10 sites. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:

NCT04961541)

 

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 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, 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 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' Influenza Program

 

Novavax' influenza vaccine, previously known as NanoFlu, is a quadrivalent

recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) protein nanoparticle influenza vaccine produced

by Novavax in its SF9 insect cell baculovirus system. The influenza vaccine

uses HA amino acid protein sequences that are the same as the recommended

wild-type circulating virus HA sequences, and contains Novavax' patented

saponin-based Matrix-M adjuvant. This investigational candidate was evaluated

during a controlled phase 3 trial conducted during the 2019-2020 influenza

season.

 

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.

 

For more information, visit www.novavax.com and connect with us on LinkedIn

(https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3510692-1&h=2116671614&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3399869-1%26h%3D27315898%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 timing of clinical trial results, including

the Phase 2 confirmation trial expected to begin by the end of 2022, the

ongoing development of NVX-CoV2373, NanoFlu, its COVID-seasonal influenza

investigational vaccine candidate, and its COVID-Influenza Combination Vaccine,

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, the potential impact and reach of

Novavax and its COVID-19 Influenza Combination Vaccine in protecting

populations, and the efficacy, safety and intended utilization of the COVID-19

Influenza Combination Vaccine, NanoFlu, and 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 | +1 240-268-2022

ir@novavax.com

 

Media

Ali Chartan | +1 240-720-7804

Laura Keenan Lindsey | +1 202-709-7521

media@novavax.com

 

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

 

SOURCE  Novavax, Inc.

本プレスリリースは発表元が入力した原稿をそのまま掲載しております。また、プレスリリースへのお問い合わせは発表元に直接お願いいたします。

このプレスリリースには、報道機関向けの情報があります。

プレス会員登録を行うと、広報担当者の連絡先や、イベント・記者会見の情報など、報道機関だけに公開する情報が閲覧できるようになります。

プレスリリース受信に関するご案内

SNSでも最新のプレスリリース情報をいち早く配信中