U.S. FDA Approves BLA for Novavax's COVID-19 Vaccine
Rhea-AI Summary
Positive
- FDA approval triggers immediate $175 million milestone payment from Sanofi
- Additional future revenue stream through tiered royalties from Sanofi partnership
- Only non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine option in the U.S. market, providing competitive differentiation
- Broad international approval across major markets including EU, UK, Japan, and Canada
Negative
- Limited approval scope to adults 65+ and high-risk individuals 12-64 years
- Required to conduct additional Phase 4 trial for ages 50-64 without high-risk conditions
- Known safety risks including myocarditis and pericarditis
- Dependent on Sanofi for U.S. commercialization efforts
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, NVAX gained 15.01%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
- Nuvaxovid™ is the only recombinant protein-based, non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine available in the
U.S. - Biologics License Application approval triggers
$175 million
"Today's approval solidifies a pathway for Americans aged 65 and older and those aged 12 through 64 with an underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 to have access to a protein-based, non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine," said John C. Jacobs, President and Chief Executive Officer, Novavax. "Market research and
The approval triggers a
The BLA approval was based on pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial data that showed Nuvaxovid was safe and effective for the prevention of COVID-19.2,3 In addition, the FDA has requested a new postmarketing commitment (PMC) to conduct a Phase 4 prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled efficacy and safety trial in individuals aged 50 through 64 without high-risk conditions for severe COVID-19. Novavax is working closely with Sanofi to assess funding and execution of this new trial. This PMC supplements previously agreed upon postmarketing requirements and commitments which have been commonly required for COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers.
Novavax expects to be ready for the commercial delivery of the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine formula in the
Nuvaxovid has been available for use in the
VACCINE AUTHORIZATION (
Nuvaxovid is a vaccine indicated for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in adults 65 years and older and individuals 12 through 64 years who have at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindications
- Do not administer Nuvaxovid to individuals with a known history of severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of Nuvaxovid or to individuals who had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) following a previous dose of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted.
Warnings and Precautions
- Management of Acute Allergic Reactions: Appropriate medical treatment must be immediately available to manage potential anaphylactic reactions following administration of Nuvaxovid.
- Myocarditis and Pericarditis: Clinical trials data provide evidence for increased risks of myocarditis and pericarditis following administration of Nuvaxovid. There have been post-marketing reports of myocarditis and pericarditis following administration of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published considerations related to myocarditis and pericarditis after vaccination, including for vaccination of individuals with a history of myocarditis or pericarditis(https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/myocarditis.html).
- Syncope (fainting): Syncope (fainting) may occur in association with administration of injectable vaccines, including Nuvaxovid. Procedures should be in place to avoid injury from fainting.
- Altered Immunocompetence: Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have a diminished immune response to Nuvaxovid.
- Limitations of Vaccine Effectiveness: Nuvaxovid may not protect all vaccine recipients.
Adverse Reactions
Solicited adverse reactions included: Injection site tenderness, injection site pain, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, malaise, joint pain, fever, nausea/vomiting and injection site redness.
To report suspected adverse reactions, contact Novavax, Inc. at 1-844-668-2829 or the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967 or https://vaers.hhs.gov.
About Nuvaxovid™
Nuvaxovid (NVX-CoV2705) is an updated version of Novavax's prototype COVID-19 vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) formulated to target the JN.1 variant. It is a protein-based vaccine made by creating copies of the surface spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19. With Novavax's unique recombinant nanoparticle technology, the non-infectious spike protein serves as the antigen that primes the immune system to recognize the virus, while Novavax's Matrix-M® adjuvant enhances and broadens the immune response. The vaccine is packaged as a ready-to-use liquid formulation and is stored at 2° to 8°C, enabling the use of existing vaccine supply and cold chain channels.
About Matrix-M® Adjuvant
Matrix-M is Novavax's proprietary adjuvant that can be added to a vaccine or medicine to stimulate a stronger immune response and is currently used in globally approved vaccines. It is clinically proven to induce potent, durable and broad immune responses with an acceptable safety and tolerability profile and allows use of a lower dose of antigen that is still effective.4 Matrix-M is sustainably harvested and manufactured and has the potential to enhance existing and new vaccines. When combined with the Company's recombinant, protein-based nanoparticles, this technology platform is the basis of Novavax's expanding pipeline.
About Novavax
Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX) tackles some of the world's most pressing health challenges with its scientific expertise in vaccines and its proven technology platform, including protein-based nanoparticles and its Matrix-M adjuvant. The Company's growth strategy seeks to optimize its existing partnerships and expand access to its proven technology platform via research and development innovation, organic portfolio expansion in infectious disease and beyond, and forging new partnerships and collaborations with other companies. Please visit novavax.com and LinkedIn for more information.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements herein relating to the future of Novavax, its operating plans and prospects, the efficacy, safety and intended utilization of Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine, the possible achievement of additional milestones under the Sanofi agreement, its intention to file a supplemental BLA (sBLA) for the 2025-2026 vaccination season, the immunogenic response of its vaccine technology against variant strains and the scope, 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 or delays related to the requested PMC or in obtaining further regulatory authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine, including approval of the sBLA; antigenic drift or shift in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, 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 or delays in obtaining regulatory authorization for a JN.1 protein-based COVID-19 vaccine or for future COVID-19 variant strain changes; challenges or delays in clinical trials; manufacturing, distribution or export delays or challenges; Novavax's exclusive dependence on Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. for co-formulation and filling and the impact of any delays or disruptions in their operations on the delivery of customer orders; 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's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as updated by the information identified in the "Risk Factors" section in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, each 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
Luis Sanay, CFA
240-268-2022
ir@novavax.com
Media
Giovanna Chandler
240-720-7804
media@novavax.com
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Underlying Conditions and the Higher Risk for Severe COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/covid/hcp/clinical-care/underlying-conditions.html. Accessed online May 18, 2025.
- Dunkle LM. et al; 2019nCoV-301 Study Group. Efficacy and safety of NVX-CoV2373 in adults in
the United States andMexico . New England Journal of Medicine. 2022;386(6):531-543. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2116185. - Áñez G. et al. Safety, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy of the NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 Vaccine in Adolescents: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(4):e239135. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.9135.
- Stertman L. et al.; The Matrix-M™ adjuvant: A critical component of vaccines for the 21st century. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023 Dec 31;19(1):2189885. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2189885.
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SOURCE Novavax, Inc.
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