Novavax seals COVID-19 vaccine deal with Australia
Australia has secured 40 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate in a deal with US biotechnology company Novavax.
Maryland-based Novavax has emerged as one of the leading candidates in the race to produce a safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine in record time.
Novavax began the first phase 3 clinical trial of its vaccine candidate, known as NVX-CoV2373, in the UK in September.
If the trial is successful, Australia will receive 40 million doses of the vaccine, “starting as early as the first half of 2021,” a company statement said yesterday, November 4.
The vaccine regimen is expected to require two doses per individual, administered 21 days apart, the company added. The Novavax deal could ensure access for approximately 80% of Australia’s population.
Australia was the site of Novavax’s first human safety trials for the vaccine candidate earlier this year.
More than 130 people in Melbourne and Brisbane participated in the trial, while almost 700 Australians have participated in the phase 2 clinical trial.
“This arrangement with the Australian government reflects the importance of the ongoing clinical development of NVX-CoV2373, and will ensure that the citizens of Australia will have access to its supply,” said Novavax president and CEO Stanley Erck.
“We are pleased with the progress of our ongoing phase 3 clinical trial in the UK, and are pressing forward to deliver efficacy data for NVX-CoV2373, with interim data in this event-driven trial expected as soon as early first quarter 2021,” Erck added.
Australia’s health minister Greg Hunt today responded to criticisms from opposition Labor party politician Chris Bowens, who said the country’s medical infrastructure would not be able to roll out a successful vaccine due to a lack of ultra-low freezers.
“Chris Bowen’s comments are not only patently incorrect, they are weird and irresponsible,” Hunt said.
“The Australian government continues to prepare for the temperature requirement scenarios for all candidates, including: 2-8 ºC, -20ºC and -70ºC,” the health minister added.
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