Novavax has announced an amendment to its existing agreement with Serum Institute of India under which SIIPL will also manufacture the antigen component of NVX‑CoV2373, Novavax’s COVID‑19 vaccine candidate.
NVX‑CoV2373 is a stable, prefusion protein made using Novavax’s recombinant protein nanoparticle technology and includes the company's proprietary Matrix‑M adjuvant.
“Today’s agreement with Serum Institute enhances Novavax’ commitment to equitable global delivery of our COVID-19 vaccine. With this arrangement, we have now put in place a global supply chain that includes the recently acquired Praha Vaccines and partnerships with leading biologics manufacturers, enabling production on three continents,” said Stanley C. Erck, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novavax.
“We continue to work with extraordinary urgency to develop our vaccine, now in Phase 2 clinical trials, and for which we anticipate starting Phase 3 efficacy trials around the world in the coming weeks.”
The antigen component of NVX-CoV2373 is being manufactured at Novavax CZ in Bohumil, Czech Republic, as well as at Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies in the US and the UK.
Novavax’s Matrix-M adjuvant is now being manufactured at Novavax AB in Uppsala, Sweden, along with AGC Biologics in the United States and Denmark.
PolyPeptide Group will manufacture two key intermediaries used in Matrix-M in the United States and Sweden.
“Signing of the manufacturing agreement with Novavax for NVX-CoV2373 is another great milestone for both companies, which will further strengthen our existing relationship. SIIPL expertise to scale-up and manufacture NVX-CoV2373 will help ensure the supply of this most-needed vaccine,” said Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer of Serum Institute of India.
