GSK to Support Production of Novavax’s COVID-19 Vaccine at UK Facility
GSK has made an agreement in principle with Novavax and the UK Government Vaccines Taskforce to support the production of up to 60 million doses of Novavax’ COVID-19 vaccine candidate (NVX-CoV2373) for use in the UK.
GSK to help manufacture up to 60 million doses of Novavax’ COVID-19 vaccine
From as early as May 2021, GSK will provide ‘fill and finish’ manufacturing capacity at its Barnard Castle facility in County Durham, North East England, with a rapid technology transfer between the two companies starting right away. The parties will negotiate a final agreement to include further T&C’s.
The UK Government has secured 60 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine under an advance purchase agreement with American vaccine development company Novavax. The protein antigen component of NVX-CoV2373 is also produced in the North East of England by Novavax’ manufacturing partner, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, at their site in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees.
Fill and finish manufacturing stage to take place at GSK UK Barnard Castle facility
GSK is set to provide the “fill and finish” completion stage of vaccine manufacturing, preparing vials of the final vaccine and packaging them for distribution and use. The GSK site at Barnard Castle, which will deliver the vaccine doses under this collaboration, is a specialised facility in GSK’s global manufacturing network, which supports the production of GSK pharmaceutical and vaccine products.
Roger Connor, President, GSK vaccines, said:
“GSK is delighted to support Novavax and the UK Vaccines Taskforce with this manufacturing arrangement for the UK and our Barnard Castle facility is now undertaking the rapid preparation work required to manufacture up to 60m doses of this vaccine. We have ensured that we can deliver these volumes without impacting supply of our other vital medicines and vaccines, and without disruption to the other COVID-19 collaborations GSK is engaged in globally.”
Rick Crowley, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Novavax stated:
“This partnership with GSK continues the expansion of our global supply network, which we expect to increase overall production capacity and, if approved by regulatory agencies, support access to a potentially important new vaccine against COVID-19. We thank the UK government’s Vaccine Taskforce for its instrumental role in ensuring the progress of our COVID-19 vaccine, from both a clinical and now manufacturing perspective, as well as GSK for making their facilities available to help fight the pandemic.”
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I’m delighted by GSK’s investment, which shows the strength of UK manufacturing, and will further boost our vaccine rollout. The Vaccines Taskforce has worked hand in glove with business to successfully deliver vaccines to the whole of the UK, and this agreement will continue to support our approach. We remain on track to offer a first jab to all over 50s by 15 April, and all adults by the end of July, and I want to once again encourage everyone to come forward for a vaccine when you’re called.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock commented:
“We’ve all seen just how important onshore vaccine manufacturing capabilities are, and this fantastic deal will ensure more of these vital products can be produced here in the UK. The UK’s vaccination programme has been a national success, with over 30 million people now having received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Should the Novavax vaccine meet our medicines regulator’s high standards of safety and effectiveness, the agreement reached today will boost these efforts over the coming months.”
To date, the Novavax vaccine candidate has shown strong potential efficacy in Phase 3 clinical trials, including against the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 found in the United Kingdom. Submission of the vaccine for review by regulatory authorities in the UK is expected during the second quarter.
About Novavax’ COVID-19 vaccine candidate (NVX-CoV2373)
NVX-CoV2373 is a protein-based vaccine candidate engineered from the genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease. NVX-CoV2373 was created using Novavax’ recombinant nanoparticle technology to generate antigen derived from the coronavirus spike (S) protein and is adjuvanted with Novavax’ patented saponin-based Matrix-M™ to enhance the immune response and stimulate high levels of neutralizing antibodies. NVX-CoV2373 contains purified protein antigen and can neither replicate, nor can it cause COVID-19. In preclinical studies, NVX-CoV2373 induced antibodies that block the binding of spike protein to cellular receptors and provided protection from infection and disease. It was generally well-tolerated and elicited robust antibody response numerically superior to that seen in human convalescent sera in Phase 1/2 clinical testing.
NVX-CoV2373 is being evaluated in two pivotal Phase 3 trials, a trial in the U.K that demonstrated efficacy of 96.4% against the original virus strain and 89.7% overall, and the PREVENT-19 trial in the U.S. and Mexico that began in December 2020. It is also being tested in two ongoing Phase 2 studies that began in August: a Phase 2b trial in South Africa that demonstrated 48.65% efficacy against a newly emerging escape variant, and a Phase 1/2 continuation in the U.S. and Australia.
NVX-CoV2373 is stored and stable at 2°- 8°C, allowing the use of existing vaccine supply chain channels for its distribution. It is packaged in a ready-to-use liquid formulation in 10-dose vials.
About Matrix-M™
Novavax’ patented saponin-based Matrix-M™ adjuvant has demonstrated a potent and well-tolerated effect by stimulating the entry of antigen presenting cells into the injection site and enhancing antigen presentation in local lymph nodes, boosting immune response.
GSK’s response to fighting COVID-19
GSK’s response to COVID-19 has been one of the broadest in the industry, with two potential treatments in addition to the companies vaccine candidates in development.
GSK is collaborating with several organisations around the world on COVID-19 vaccines by providing access to our adjuvant technology. Our collaboration with Canada’s Medicago, combining our pandemic adjuvant with its plant-derived vaccine candidate is in Phase 3 clinical trials, and a collaboration with French company Sanofi on an adjuvanted, protein-based vaccine candidate is in Phase 2. An earlier stage collaboration with SK Bioscience of South Korea, with funding from CEPI and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to develop differentiated, affordable COVID-19 vaccines for supply globally through the COVAX facility. The use of an adjuvant can be of particular importance in a pandemic since it may reduce the amount of vaccine protein required per dose, allowing more vaccine doses to be produced and contributing to protecting more people.
GSK is working with German mRNA specialist, CureVac, to jointly develop next-generation, multi-valent mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 with the potential to address multiple emerging variants in one vaccine. GSK will also support the manufacturing of up to 100m doses of CureVac’s first-generation COVID-19 vaccine at its facilities in Belgium.
GSK is also exploring potential therapeutic or treatment options for COVID-19 patients. The company is collaborating with Vir Biotechnology to develop existing and identify new anti-viral antibodies that could be used as therapeutic or preventive options for COVID-19. Recently GSK reported that an Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended that the Phase 3 COMET-ICE trial evaluating VIR-7831 as monotherapy for the early treatment of COVID-19 in adults at high risk of hospitalisation be stopped for enrolment due to evidence of profound efficacy, based on an interim analysis of data from the trial. GSK is now seeking Emergency Use Authorization in the US and will seek authorisations in other countries.
GSK is also assessing whether an investigational monoclonal antibody, otilimab, can help severely ill COVID-19 patients aged over 70 who experience an overreaction of their immune system.
About GSK
GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com/about-us.
About Novavax
Novavax is a biotechnology company that promotes improved health globally through the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative vaccines to prevent serious infectious diseases. The company’s proprietary recombinant technology platform combines the power and speed of genetic engineering to efficiently produce highly immunogenic nanoparticles designed to address urgent global health needs. Novavax is conducting late-stage clinical trials for NVX-CoV2373, its vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. NanoFlu™, its quadrivalent influenza nanoparticle vaccine, met all primary objectives in its pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial in older adults and will be advanced for regulatory submission. Both vaccine candidates incorporate Novavax’ proprietary saponin-based Matrix-M™ adjuvant to enhance the immune response and stimulate high levels of neutralizing antibodies.
For more information, visit www.novavax.com
Source: GSK
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