Novavax's Second Booster With Omicron Adapted COVID-19 Shot Shows Encouraging Immune Responses

Novavax Inc NVAX announced topline results from its Phase 3 trial of updated COVID-19 shot against BA.1 strain meeting the primary strain-change endpoint.
The data demonstrate that the BA.1 vaccine candidate neutralizing responses in those not previously exposed to COVID-19 were greater than those of the prototype vaccine.
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody responses against BA.1 and prototype strains showed similar responses across the three vaccine groups.
Related: FDA Gives Emergency Nod To Novavax's Adjuvanted COVID-19 Booster Dose.
The BA.5 strain pseudoneutralization responses demonstrated no benefit for the BA.1 or bivalent vaccine candidates compared to the prototype vaccine in the overall trial population.
Overall, the data demonstrated that the prototype vaccine induced a broad immune response against the original prototype, BA.1, and BA.5 strains.
Pseudoneutralization responses against BA.5 for the prototype vaccine were comparable to those induced by the more closely matched BA.1 vaccine and bivalent vaccine candidates.
When given as a second booster dose (fourth dose), all three vaccine formulations were similarly well-tolerated, consistent with the well-established safety profile of the prototype vaccine.
Price Action: NVAX shares are up 3.01% at $20.01 on the last check Tuesday.