Novavax, J&J Tap South Korean, Indian Firms for Vaccine Components

To produce components needed for their COVID-19 vaccine candidates, Novavax has enlisted support from a South Korean biotech, while Johnson & Johnson has agreed to work with an Indian biopharma company.

Novavax said Thursday that it has entered into a development and supply agreement with SK Bioscience, a South Korean firm that’s received support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and is currently contracted by AstraZeneca to manufacture its vaccine candidate.

Under the deal, the biotech will produce the antigen component used in Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate, NVX-CoV2373. The companies also signed a letter of intent with South Korea’s health ministry to work toward making the vaccine available globally and in South Korea.

“SK Bioscience, using its cell culture and recombinant protein capability, will initiate the production of the NVX-CoV2373 antigen at its vaccine facility in Andong, South Korea, beginning [this month],” Novavax said.

Novavax recently reported positive results from an Australian phase 1 trial of its candidate, noting that the vaccine elicited a strong immune response and was well tolerated by participants (DID, Aug. 5).

Additionally, the company said that its strategy to bolster vaccine manufacturing capacity should allow it to meet U.S. demands, which could warrant the production of 500 million to 600 million doses annually. Novavax is working toward achieving the capacity to supply billions of doses per year (DID, Aug. 12).

Johnson & Johnson has also enlisted more support for its global vaccine manufacturing efforts, reaching an agreement with India’s Biological E. to produce a drug substance used in its vaccine, Ad26.COV2.S. The vaccine candidate is currently in phase 1/2a trials.

J&J recently reached a $1 billion supply agreement with the U.S. government to provide 100 million doses of its vaccine as long as it receives Emergency Use Authorization or full approval from the FDA, the company announced. The deal also provides an option that allows the U.S. to purchase an additional 200 million doses. — James Miessler