Novavax, Inc. announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted Marketing Authorization for its updated 2024-2025 Nuvaxovid COVID-19 Vaccine (recombinant, adjuvanted) (NVX-CoV2705) for use in individuals aged 12 and older within the European Union (EU). This decision follows the positive opinion issued by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
The authorization is based on non-clinical data demonstrating that Novavax's updated vaccine elicits cross-reactivity against the JN.1 variant, as well as multiple JN.1 lineage viruses, including KP.2.3, KP.3, KP.3.1.1, and LB.1. This broad cross-reactivity is crucial for providing protection against emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2.
Vaccine Composition and Mechanism
NVX-CoV2705 is an updated version of Novavax’s prototype COVID-19 vaccine, specifically formulated to target the JN.1 variant. It is a protein-based vaccine engineered to produce copies of the SARS-CoV-2 surface spike protein. Novavax's recombinant nanoparticle technology ensures that the non-infectious spike protein acts as an antigen, stimulating the immune system to recognize and defend against the virus. The inclusion of Novavax's Matrix-M adjuvant enhances and broadens the immune response.
The vaccine is presented as a ready-to-use liquid formulation and can be stored at temperatures between 2° to 8°C, which aligns with existing vaccine supply and cold chain channels.
Safety and Efficacy Profile
Clinical trials of Novavax's prototype COVID-19 vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) have identified common adverse reactions, including headache, nausea or vomiting, muscle pain, joint pain, injection site tenderness and pain, fatigue, and malaise. These adverse reactions are generally mild to moderate and resolve within a few days.
Regulatory Alignment and Global Access
Novavax's vaccine is also authorized for use in the United States, aligning with guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), EMA, and the World Health Organization (WHO) to target the JN.1 lineage this fall. This coordinated approach ensures that the vaccine composition is aligned with the circulating strains of the virus, maximizing its effectiveness.
About Novavax's Matrix-M Adjuvant
Novavax's patented saponin-based Matrix-M adjuvant is a key component of the vaccine, enhancing the immune system's response by making it broader and more durable. The Matrix-M adjuvant stimulates the entry of antigen-presenting cells at the injection site and enhances antigen presentation in local lymph nodes, thereby boosting the overall immune response.
