Novavax Reports Positive Preclinical Results For H1N1 VLP Vaccine

Novavax has reported positive preclinical results with its 2009 novel H1N1 influenza virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine.

Under a collaborative agreement, the study has been conducted by the scientists from Novavax and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) based in Atlanta.

The Novavax VLP vaccine candidate protected ferrets against the 2009 new H1N1 virus. The ferrets received a 3.75, 7.5, or 15.0mcg dose of the 2009 H1N1 VLP vaccine or a placebo, and were boosted with a second dose after three weeks.

Reportedly, all of the H1N1 VLP vaccinated animals, even in the lowest 3.75mcg dose group, developed hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers of 1:40 or higher, considered a protective level of immunity, against the H1N1 virus. Remarkably, even after receiving a single dose of 7.5 or 15 mcg 2009 H1N1 VLPs, the animals developed an HI titer of 1:40 or higher against the H1N1 virus, claims the company.

Gale Smith, vice president of vaccine development at Novavax, said: Demonstrating that our influenza VLP vaccine candidate protects against the pandemic H1N1 virus in an animal model is another important milestone for us to have met. An even broader significance of this study is that these data, for the first time, indicate that a vaccine against H1N1 A/California/04/2009 influenza strain has the potential to protect against the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus.