NOVAVAX PRESENTS PROMISING DATA ON PANDEMIC FLU VACCINES

Novavax's novel virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines have been shown to be effective in generating protection against pandemic influenza as well as cross protection against different strains of the virus in preclinical studies, according to data presented at the Phacilitate Vaccine Forum.

"These are the first live-virus challenge data we have presented," Rick Bright, Novavax's vice president for global influenza programs, said. "These new data are exciting because not only do our VLP vaccines trigger a robust immune response, but we have shown that a single vaccine can protect against two different strains of pandemic influenza."

The studies involved two of Novavax's H5N1 influenza VLP vaccines -- one targeting the Indonesia strain of pandemic flu, first identified in 2005, and another targeting the Vietnam strain, identified in 2003.

Mice and ferrets inoculated with the Indonesia VLP vaccine showed a robust immune response in the study. When challenged with the Indonesia and Vietnam strains, the animals were protected against both viruses. In addition, Novavax has shown that mice inoculated with the Vietnam strain of the VLP vaccine were protected from that strain as well as from the Indonesian strain.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning to conduct live challenge studies using Novavax's VLP pandemic influenza vaccines, according to the company.