In continued evaluation of the May 2009 clinical study, Novavax tested volunteers for NAI against H3N2/Brisbane and B/Florida components of the vaccine before and after immunization.  The results showed that 50 to 73% of the volunteers immunized with the Novavax VLP vaccine had a 4-fold increase in the antibody that blocks neuraminidase activity. In contrast, only 1 of 19 volunteers that received the TIV showed a 4-fold rise for NAI.  There was no 4-fold rise in volunteers that received placebo.

"These are very exciting results which not only support continued development of novel VLP vaccines against influenza but also provides a cornerstone to potentially differentiate our vaccine from the current standard of care," said Dr. Rahul Singhvi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novavax. "We will continue to evaluate NAI responses in additional clinical trials particularly in the ongoing study in the elderly and work to optimize the NA activity required in our vaccine to maximize NAI responses.  We believe these new data reinforce our long standing thesis that VLP influenza vaccines have the potential to induce broad immunity that could lead to meaningful reduction in the burden of disease," said Dr. Singhvi.

Dr Singhvi presented these new data today in New York city at the BIO CEO Conference.

SOURCE Novavax, Inc.