Dec. 28, 2021: “Novavax, Inc., a biotechnology company dedicated to developing and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, and Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. (SII), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume, today announced that the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for Novavax’ recombinant nanoparticle protein-based COVID-19 vaccine with Matrix-M™ adjuvant.
The vaccine will be manufactured and marketed in India by SII under the brand name Covovax™.
“No one is safe until everyone is safe, and today’s authorization marks a vital step for India, where additional vaccine options and millions of doses are needed in the country’s ongoing efforts to control the pandemic,” said Stanley C. Erck, President and Chief Executive Officer, Novavax.
“Novavax and SII will not rest in our partnership to deliver our vaccine to those in India and across the globe, as we work to protect the health of people everywhere.”
Because the vaccine is stored with standard refrigeration at 2° to 8° Celsius, it may be transported and stored using existing vaccine supply chain, potentially increasing access in hard-to-reach areas.
“The approval of Covovax in India marks a significant milestone in strengthening our immunization efforts across India and LMICs,” said Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer, Serum Institute of India.
“We are proud to deliver a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, based on Phase 3 clinical data demonstrating more than 90% efficacy and a favorable safety profile, to our nation.”
The Novavax/SII vaccine recently received EUA in Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as Emergency Use Listing (EUL) with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Novavax was also granted Conditional Marketing Authorization by the European Commission and EUL with the WHO for its vaccine, which will be marketed by Novavax as NuvaxovidTM.
Novavax has also announced regulatory filings for its vaccine in multiple countries worldwide, while partners SK bioscience and Takeda have submitted regulatory filings in South Korea and Japan, respectively.
Novavax expects to submit the complete package to the U.S. FDA by the end of the year.
For additional information on Covovax, please visit the following websites in the coming days:
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (India)
- Serum Institute of India
Authorized Use of Novavax’ Covid-19 Vaccine in India
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Covovax /Recombinant Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Virus 5 mcg to induce immunity against SARS-CoV-2 to prevent COVID-19 for adults 18 years old and above.
Authorization in the U.S.
NVX-CoV2373 has not yet been authorized for use in the U.S. and the trade name Nuvaxovid has not yet been approved by the U.S. FDA.
Important Safety Information
Covovax is contraindicated in persons who have hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients of this vaccine.
About NVX-CoV2373
NVX-CoV2373 is a protein-based vaccine engineered from the genetic sequence of the first strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease.
NVX-CoV2373 was created using Novavax’ recombinant nanoparticle technology to generate antigen derived from the coronavirus spike (S) protein and is formulated with Novavax’ patented saponin-based Matrix-M™ adjuvant to enhance the immune response and stimulate high levels of neutralizing antibodies. NVX-CoV2373 contains purified protein antigen and can neither replicate, nor can it cause COVID-19.
Novavax’ COVID-19 vaccine is packaged as a ready-to-use liquid formulation in a vial containing ten doses.
The vaccination regimen calls for two 0.5 ml doses (5 mcg antigen and 50 mcg Matrix-M adjuvant) given intramuscularly 21 days apart.
The vaccine is stored at 2°- 8° Celsius, enabling the use of existing vaccine supply and cold chain channels. The current assigned shelf-life of the vaccine is 9 months.
Novavax has established partnerships for the manufacture, commercialization and distribution of NVX-CoV2373 worldwide.”
