NOVAVAX Announces Positive Results for the Second Phase II Clinical Trial of its Trivalent Seasonal Influenza Virus-like Particle (VLP) Vaccine...(aw with our VLP vaccine candidate as com...)

The results of this study are strongly supportive of accelerated development of Novavax's pandemic influenza vaccines, including the novel H1N1 2009 influenza VLP vaccine. "We are working tirelessly with partners and governments worldwide to potentially provide H1N1 vaccine to regions without an indigenous supply," said Dr. Rahul Singhvi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novavax. "The current influenza pandemic underscores the potential for Novavax's advanced influenza vaccine technology to have significant public health impact by providing vaccine in time to those in need," said Dr. Singhvi.

Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza

Seasonal epidemics of influenza cause an estimated 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths in the US each year. With the H1N1 2009 influenza pandemic, US health officials are projecting an additional 30,000 to 90,000 deaths will occur during the upcoming influenza season and approximately 40% of US citizens will be infected. Because the H1N1 2009 virus is a new strain, individuals lack antibody to fight it. Good handwashing, coughing into a sleeve, and staying home when ill are some ways to prevent H1N1 flu; however, the most effective way to prevent it is through vaccination.

Globally, seasonal flu infects between 5 percent and 20 percent of the population and kills between 250,000 and 500,000 people each year. Because of the limited number of individuals with antibody against the novel H1N1 2009 virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has projected that up to a third of the world's population may be infected this year, with as many as 15% of those requiring hospital care.

About Novavax

Novavax is a clinical-stage biotechnology
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