Novavax COVID-19 vaccine shows promise

• The potential COVID-19 vaccine developed by Novavax has shown promising results in an early-stage clinical trial.
• The vaccine reportedly produced neutralizing antibodies, while the accompanying adjuvant provided a stronger immune response.
• If the early-stage trial proves successful, the phase two trial would start in multiple countries, with a late-stage trial expected to begin as early as October.

The potential COVID-19 vaccine developed by Novavax has shown promising results in an early-stage clinical trial, the company announced on Tuesday.

The biotech company’s share fell briefly to as much as 32% over concerns of their vaccine’s safety, but they later recovered and rose more than 7%.

The company launched its phase one trial at two sites in Australia.

Of the 131 healthy participants aged between 18 and 59, 106 received one or four doses of the potential vaccine, called NVX-CoV237. They received the treatment with or without an adjuvant designed to enhance the immune response. The rest (25 participants) received a placebo.

The potential vaccine was administered in two doses via intramuscular injection approximately 21 days apart.

The vaccine contains synthesized pieces of the coronavirus’s surface protein, which is used to infect humans. 

The company reported that the vaccine produced killer T-cells and neutralizing antibodies believed to build immunity from the virus. These antibodies were reportedly higher than those observed in people who recovered from COVID-19. Participants who were given the adjuvant also had a stronger immune response.

According to Novavax, participants tolerated the vaccine well with no serious side effects.

After the first dose, most participants reported pain and tenderness at the injection. Some also reported muscle aches, headaches, or fatigue.

After a second dose, only one participant experienced a mild fever.

The company added that none of the participants were hospitalized, contradicting earlier news reports that cited eight hospitalizations related to the study.

Several other companies have been racing to develop a vaccine. The World Health Organization reported that more than 150 vaccines are being developed globally — 25 of which are already in the human trial stage.

Less than two weeks ago, drug companies Pfizer and Moderna both announced the start of their late-stage trials for potential coronavirus vaccines, which will include about 30,000 participants.

Gregory Glenn, president of research and development at Novavax, declared on Tuesday, “The Phase 1 data demonstrate that NVX-CoV2373 with our Matrix-M adjuvant is a well‑tolerated COVID-19 vaccine with a robust immunogenicity profile.”

Despite the promising results, scientists still advise caution.

There are still several questions to be answered: the human body’s response to a vaccine after already being infected, and whether antibodies offer sufficient protection against getting infected again.

The U.S. government awarded Novavax $1.6 billion last month to develop and manufacture the potential vaccine, with the aim of delivering 100 million doses by the start of next year.

If the early-stage trial proves successful, Novavax would start a phase two trial in multiple countries. They expect a late-stage trial to begin as early as October.

Source: CNBC