Novavax Says it Could Start Making Omicron-Specific Vaccine in January

Dec 2 (Reuters) – Novavax Inc said on Thursday it could begin commercial manufacturing of a COVID-19 vaccine tailored for the Omicron coronavirus variant in January next year, while it tests whether or not its current vaccine works against the variant.

Laboratory data expected in the coming weeks will show whether antibodies from individuals who have previously received Novavax’s COVID-19 shot can neutralize the variant, according to the company.

Novavax also said it has started developing an Omicron-specific spike protein antigen and will begin laboratory tests of a new vaccine to target the variant in a few weeks.

The Omicron coronavirus variant has shaken up markets and caused global alarm over concerns about whether it could evade protection provided by widely used vaccines and prolong the public health crisis.

Other vaccine makers including Moderna and Pfizer have also begun working on Omicron-tailored COVID-19 shots.

Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine received its first emergency use approval in Indonesia in early November followed by the Philippines.

(Reporting by Amruta Khandekar; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)

Reuters

Recent Posts

Texas Lawmakers Push Camp Safety Reforms After Deadly Hill Country Floods

In the aftermath of the catastrophic July…

9 hours ago

Jeffries Slams Texas GOP Redistricting Plan, Calls It a Power Grab

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on…

9 hours ago

Unregulated Development at Core of Texas Flood Tragedy, Experts Warn

As Texas lawmakers hold hearings on flood…

1 day ago

Texas Senate Republicans Block Subpoenas in Redistricting Controversy

A Texas Senate committee overseeing congressional redistricting…

1 day ago

Senate Bill Would Eliminate Most Legal Hemp Products in Texas

A controversial bill to ban hemp-derived THC…

1 day ago

This website uses cookies.