Gaithersburg's Novavax To Test Coronavirus Vaccine On Humans

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Novavax Inc., a late-stage biotechnology company based in Gaithersburg, says it has identified a coronavirus vaccine candidate and will begin human trials in mid-May.

It joins at least a dozen other drug companies that have announced promising experimental vaccines and antiviral treatments aimed at helping those infected with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

In animal studies, Novavax's vaccine candidate — a protein called NVX-CoV2373 — has successfully created enough antibodies to block the virus from binding to cells. The effects increased eightfold after two doses, which — according to the company — means that a vaccine is likely to be protective in humans.

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"We validated that NVX-CoV2373 generates high titer neutralizing antibodies against live SARS-CoV-2 virus," said Dr. Matthew Frieman, an associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "This is strong evidence that the vaccine created by Novavax has the potential to be highly immunogenic in humans which could lead to protection from COVID-19 and helping to control the spread of this disease."

Novavax said it will be using its Matrix-M adjuvant with NVX-CoV2373 to enhance immune responses. Adjuvants are ingredients that drug makers use in some vaccines to help induce a stronger immune response in people.

Phase 1 of human trials are expected to begin in mid-May. The human trials will be a placebo- controlled study of about 130 healthy adults, and will assess dosage amounts and the number of vaccines.

The preliminary immunogenicity and safety results are expected in July, the company said.

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