Novavax’s Covid-19 Candidate Works Against South African Variant

The Covid-19 vaccine developed by Novavax is one of the many drugs that have raised hopes during the difficult times. The vaccine has suggested 100 percent result during the clinical trial. The drug is effective against the South African variant of the virus. Novavax is a biotechnology firm. It is based in Maryland in the US. It has developed a vaccine that is effective against the B1351 variant. The variant in the question was identified in the African continent. According to the findings of the Phase 2b trial, the vaccine protects against severe infection caused by the African variant. The placebo-controlled trial was conducted by Wits VIDA in South Africa itself. The vaccine develops immunity in healthy adults to fight against the virus.

During the initial phase, Novavax vaccine showed an overall efficacy of 49 percent. In healthy adults without HIV, its efficacy was found to be 60 percent. In the subsequent complete analysis, it showed an efficacy of 55 percent. According to the guidelines set by the WHO, vaccine that shows an efficacy rate of minimum 50 percent can be allowed for use. The drug regulators of respective countries can grant approval. At 90 days of follow-up among placebo recipients, it was found that the illness rate in seronegative participants was 8 percent. The same was found to be 5.9 percent in seropositive participants. The findings make a compelling case for using Novavax in areas where the B1351 variant is dominant. The variant is mostly found in the southern region of Africa.

Novavax’s Covid vaccine also cuts the risk of mild infection by the virus. Besides, it also guards against severe infection. Novavax’s vaccine candidate is called NVX-CoV2373. It gives protection against SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 causes Covid infection. It is a protein-based vaccine. The biotechnology firm said that NVX-CoV2373 is engineered from the genetic sequence of the first strain of the virus. It is one of two vaccines that are undergoing trials in South Africa. The company said that it will soon apply with the FDA seeking emergency use authorization in America. Meanwhile, the phase-3 trial being conducted in the UK indicated that the vaccine is 96.4 percent effective against the original Covid strain.