Saturday, August 08, 2020
Novavax, Inc., an advanced biotech company developing next-generation vaccines against serious infectious diseases, and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502 / NYSE: TAK), announced hui the signing of a partnership for the development, manufacture and commercialization of NVX ‑ CoV2373, Novavax's vaccine candidate against COVID-19, in Japan. NVX ‑ CoV2373 is a stable pre-fusion protein, manufactured using Novavax's recombinant protein nanoparticle technology, which includes Novavax's proprietary adjuvant, Matrix ‑ M ™. Takeda will receive funding from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), which aims to cover the costs of technology transfer, infrastructure development and manufacturing scale. Takeda plans to be able to manufacture more than 250 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine per year1 .
"Takeda's leading position in Japan, technical expertise, regulatory know-how as well as production capacity make it the ideal partner to continue to improve the availability of NVX ‑ CoV2373 around the world," said Stanley C. Erck, Chairman and CEO of Novavax. "We look forward to working with Takeda to develop, produce and market this vaccine rapidly in Japan," he added.
Novavax and Takeda join forces in production, clinical development and regulatory activities in Japan. Novavax will license Takeda, to which the company will transfer its manufacturing technologies that will allow it to manufacture the vaccine antigen. Novavax will also supply Takeda with the Matrix-M adjuvant. Responsible for regulatory submission to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), Takeda will produce and distribute NVX ‑ CoV2373 in Japan.
"Right now, nothing is more important than protecting the world from COVID-19. We are particularly excited to work with Novavax to bring their promising vaccine candidate to Japan," said Rajeev Venkayya, DM , President of the Global Vaccines Business Unit at Takeda. "Today's announcement builds on our continued support for pandemic preparedness. It demonstrates Takeda's commitment to the health and well-being of the Japanese people," he continued.
Novavax will be entitled to receive payments. This authorization is conditional on certain commercial and development stages, as well as part of the proceeds from the sale of the vaccine.
