Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX) and Xcellerex, Inc. have entered into a strategic collaboration to accelerate the development of Novavax's vaccine manufacturing process to commercial scale and begin immediate production of Novavax's novel 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine for potential commercial sale. Earlier this week, Novavax launched a two-stage, 4,000-patient clinical study of its H1N1 flu vaccine in Mexico to support registration in that country. The two companies will utilize Novavax's unique virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine technology to produce initial commercial quantities of H1N1 vaccine with Xcellerex's FlexFactory biomanufacturing platform. Xcellerex will provide development expertise and product manufacturing in exchange for manufacturing supply fees from Novavax.
"We are pleased to apply our state-of-the-art FlexFactory manufacturing technology to enable the rapid, commercial-scale production of H1N1 flu vaccine by Novavax. Our technology offers Novavax a cost-effective and flexible manufacturing solution for this public health crisis by achieving full commercial-scale production of VLP-based vaccines much more rapidly than traditional vaccine production methods," stated Joseph Zakrzewski, Xcellerex's President and Chief Executive Officer.
"This strategic partnership represents a major step forward for Novavax and will allow us to increase the scale of our VLP vaccine manufacturing process and expand capacity to satisfy potential demand for our H1N1 VLP vaccine in Mexico. This alliance will also enable us to establish commercial-scale production capabilities for our VLP-based seasonal influenza vaccine program and significantly advance our timeline for full scale manufacturing," said Rahul Singhvi, Novavax's President and Chief Executive Officer.
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