Novavax expands Sanofi license for Matrix-M adjuvant use

Novavax Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX) amended its collaboration and license agreement with Sanofi to expand the French pharmaceutical company's license to include use of Novavax's Matrix-M adjuvant in Sanofi's pandemic influenza vaccine candidate program.

The amendment allows Sanofi to use Matrix-M in early-stage development of pandemic influenza vaccine candidates through Phase 2 clinical trials. If Sanofi proceeds to Phase 3 development, the companies will negotiate license rates and financial terms.

Sanofi received funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority for early-stage work on the vaccine candidate, including the Matrix-M adjuvant, under Contract 75A50122D00003.

Under the original agreement terms, Novavax remains eligible to receive up to $200 million for the first four products created by Sanofi using its Matrix-M adjuvant, and up to $210 million in milestone payments for each subsequent product containing Matrix-M, plus ongoing royalties for all Sanofi products utilizing the adjuvant.

"We're excited that Sanofi has recognized the potential of a pandemic influenza vaccine candidate that contains Novavax's validated Matrix-M adjuvant," said John C. Jacobs, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novavax.

Matrix-M is Novavax's proprietary adjuvant designed to stimulate stronger immune responses when added to vaccines. The adjuvant is currently used in globally approved vaccines and has demonstrated the ability to induce immune responses with an acceptable safety profile in clinical studies.

The information is based on a company press release statement.

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