Novavax commenced Phase I clinical trial for their COVID-19 vaccine "NVX-CoV2373" a stable prefusion protein antigen made using its proprietary nanoparticle technology, including its proprietary Matrix-M™ adjuvant in Australia. The U.S.-based company recently secured a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) or the manufacturing of the COVID-19 vaccine target.

The Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CRBND-EB), along with funding by the Defense Health Program agreed to fund up to $60 million to support Novavax in its production of several components of the vaccine to be produced in America. The parties declared a targeted delivery in 2020 of 10 million doses of NVX-CoV2373 for DoD that could be used in Phase II/III clinical trials or under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) if approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Novavax will work with a U.S.-based biologics contract development manufacturing organization (CDMO) to manufacture the antigen component of NVX-CoV2373 for at least 10 million doses of vaccine. 

Novavax recently initiated the development of NVX-CoV2373, its vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2 Phase 1 clinical trial results expected in July of 2020. vaccine candidates incorporate Novavax’ proprietary saponin-based Matrix-M™ adjuvant in order to enhance the immune response and stimulate high levels of neutralizing antibodies.