Novavax Reports Positive Data From Animal Trial of Its COVID-19/Flu Combo Shot

Vaccine specialist Novavax (NASDAQ: NVAX) plans to file for an emergency use authorization with the Food and Drug Administration for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate in July. In addition, the biotech's vaccine candidate for influenza, NanoFlu, is waiting for a green light from the regulator. Last year, a phase 3 study of NanoFlu showed it to be superior to the market-leading flu vaccine from Sanofi (NASDAQ: SNY) in a head-to-head match-up.

This week, Novavax reported strong data from an animal study of a new inoculation that combines both of those promising vaccines.

The combo vaccine candidate was tested in hamsters and ferrets. Administered in a two-shot regimen, it produced a high level of antibodies against both flu and COVID-19 in the animals, comparable to the levels that were seen when either vaccine was tested alone. Significantly, hamsters who were immunized with the combo shot were challenged with SARS-CoV-2, and had no replicating coronavirus in their upper or lower respiratory tracts, nor did they have any signs of viral pneumonia. 

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Source Fool.com