SK bioscience and Novavax agreement also includes production of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in prefilled syringe

SK bioscience (“Company”) announced on July 19th that the Company has extended its partnership with Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a U.S. biotechnology company specializing in next-generation vaccines, for the manufacturing and supply of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine targeting Omicron variants and in prefilled syringes.

SK bioscience and Novavax signed an agreement for the technology transfer of Novavax proprietary COVID-19 variant antigen materials and manufacturing drug substance targeting COVID-19 variants including Omicron BA.5 subvariant in response to the recent spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

In addition, SK Bioscience and Novavax have signed an agreement to manufacture and supply the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in prefilled syringe, already loaded with the vaccine for injection. The Company will prepare the manufacturing process this year for commercial supply of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in prefilled syringe in 2023.

Stanley C. Erck, President and Chief Executive Officer, Novavax, said, “Clinical data generated to-date demonstrate that the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine offers broad immune responses including against circulating variants, such as the Omicron BA.5. We are accelerating our clinical program on Omicron BA.5 and look forward to working with SK bioscience to bring this vaccine to market.”

Preclinical data on Omicron BA.5 will be available in the late summer or fall, with an Omicron-containing vaccine available by Q4 of this year.

Jaeyong Ahn, CEO of SK bioscience, said, "We will play a role as a global vaccine hub through the contracts in a situation where new vaccines against variants are required," adding, "We will take the lead in protecting public health as an innovative vaccine/bio partner based on the cooperation with various global companies, as well as developing diverse vaccines independently."

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is the fifth vaccine officially approved in S. Korea, and recently became the fourth vaccine to receive emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .