Novavax have announced that its COVID-19 vaccine produced antibodies against the coronavirus. Initial data from the early-stage clinical trials indicate that the vaccine appears to be safe.
The biotech's vaccine candidate, NVX-CoV2373, produced higher levels of the antibodies in healthy volunteers after two doses than those found in recovered COVID-19 patients. According to the biotech, the addition of its Matrix‑M adjuvant enhanced the effect of the vaccine in the study.
The Novavax vaccine is among the first of a handful of programs singled out for U.S. funding under Operation Warp Speed. In July, the government agreed to pay Novavax $1.6 billion to help cover costs related to testing and manufacturing the vaccine, with the aim of procuring 100 million doses by January 2021.
The trial, which started in late May, tested the vaccine in 106 subjects aged 18 to 59 versus a placebo. Phase I of the study looked at the vaccine’s safety and ability to induce immune responses.
The Phase II portion of the study will be conducted in multiple countries, including the United States. It will gauge the vaccine’s ability to prevent infections or reduce severity of COVID-19, in addition to safety and immune response, among a broader range of volunteers.
Read the Novavax release