Novavax Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate showed strong efficacy against the coronavirus in a large trial that signals a new option is nearing for a global community still desperate for protection against the virus and its variants.
The shot was 90% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and 100% effective at preventing moderate and severe symptoms, the U.S.-based biotech firm said in a statement on Monday. It was also 93% effective against variants of concern, according to results from a secondary analysis that mostly included cases of the alpha variant predominant in the U.S.
The company plans to apply for regulatory clearance globally, with much of the first available doses going to low- and middle-income countries, Stanley Erck, Novavax’s chief executive officer, said on a conference call. The study results, which were at least as good as many analysts expected, suggest Novavax’s protein-based technology can be a rival to messenger RNA vaccines over time, especially if booster shots are needed.