GSK to support manufacture of 60m Novavax COVID-19 vaccines
pharmafile | March 30, 2021 | News story | Manufacturing and Production | COVID-19, GSK, UK, Vaccine
GSK has reached an agreement with Novavax and the UK Government Vaccines Taskforce to support the production of up to 60 million doses of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine, NVX-CoV2373, for use in the UK.
GSK will provide ‘fill and finish’ manufacturing capacity at its Barnard Castle facility in the North East of England commencing in May, with technology exchange between the two companies beginning immediately.
The protein antigen component of NVX-CoV2373 is also produced in the North East of England by Novavax’s manufacturing partner, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, at their site in Billingham.
The UK Government has secured 60 million doses of the vaccine under an advance purchase agreement with Novavax.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I’m delighted by GSK’s investment, which shows the strength of UK manufacturing, and will further boost our vaccine rollout. The Vaccines Taskforce has worked hand in glove with business to successfully deliver vaccines to the whole of the UK, and this agreement will continue to support our approach.”
The fill and finish capacity provided by GSK will be the completion stage of manufacturing, such as preparing vials of the final vaccine and packaging them for distribution and use.
Roger Connor, President of GSK vaccines, said: “GSK is delighted to support Novavax and the UK Vaccines Taskforce with this manufacturing arrangement for the UK and our Barnard Castle facility is now undertaking the rapid preparation work required to manufacture up to 60 million doses of this vaccine.
“We have ensured that we can deliver these volumes without impacting supply of our other vital medicines and vaccines, and without disruption to the other COVID-19 collaborations GSK is engaged in globally.”
The Novavax vaccine candidate demonstrated strong potential efficacy in Phase III clinical trials, including against the B.1.1.7 variant circulating in the UK. Submission of the vaccine for review by regulatory authorities in the UK is expected during the second quarter of this year.
Kat Jenkins
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