GlaxoSmithKline has agreed in principle to handle the fill and finish manufacturing process for up to 60 million doses of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine for use in Britain. The U.S. biotech has struggled to obtain some raw materials according to previous reports. GSK and Novavax will negotiate a final agreement to include additional terms and conditions.
Novavax, GSK and the UK Government Vaccines Taskforce announced that they have reached an agreement in principle to support manufacturing of up to 60 million doses of Novavax’ COVID-19 vaccine candidate (NVX-CoV2373) for use in the UK. GSK will provide ‘fill and finish’ manufacturing capacity at its Barnard Castle facility in the North East of England, with a rapid technology transfer between the two companies beginning immediately.
The UK Government has secured 60 million doses of the vaccine under an advance purchase agreement with Novavax. The protein antigen component of NVX-CoV2373 is also produced in the North East of England by Novavax’ manufacturing partner, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, at their site in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees.
The GSK site at Barnard Castle, which will deliver the vaccine doses under this collaboration, is a specialized facility in GSK’s global manufacturing network, which supports production of GSK pharmaceutical and vaccine products.
The Novavax vaccine candidate has demonstrated strong potential efficacy in Phase 3 clinical trials, including against the B.1.1.7 variant circulating in the UK. Submission of the vaccine for review by regulatory authorities in the UK is expected during the second quarter.