NorthWest Biotherapeutics Inc (NWBO)

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Novavax Stock Rockets On Funding Boost For Coronavirus Vaccine

An epidemic preparedness foundation boosted its funding in coronavirus vaccine maker Novavax (NVAX) to $388 million, sending NVAX stock soaring Tuesday.

“An epidemic preparedness foundation” means Gates is behind it, through CEPI, in case you lost your scorecard.

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovation, or CEPI, is funding various efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine. In March, the foundation pledged $4 million to Novavax. On Monday, Novavax said CEPI increased that funding by $384 million.

So far, the experimental vaccine has shown promise in animal testing.

One can hope that animal models of the human immune system are better predictors of success than those used for cancer. They have to be—nothing can be worse. So a glimmer of hope just using deduction.

Read below for more specifics on the animal test results—it looks like it’s doing what it’s supposed to do—produce a strong antibody reaction to the ACE2 receptor on those now world famous spike proteins that make coronavirus look like a biotech mine from a sci-fi war movie. Btw, “biotech mine” is a metaphor, not an assertion of origin.

Would be interested in any insight on these animal models if anyone has some knowledge here.

On the stock market today, NVAX stock rocketed to a 15-month high. Shares catapulted 62.5%, to 39.82.

That’s a good day’s work by anyone’s standard.

https://www.investors.com/news/technology/nvax-stock-rocket-cepi-funding-coronavirus-vaccine


From Novavax’s 1st Qtr PR of the day before:

COVID-19 Program

* In January, Novavax identified its coronavirus vaccine candidate, NVX-CoV2373, a stable, prefusion protein made using its proprietary nanoparticle technology. Novavax’ proprietary Matrix-M adjuvant is included in NVX-CoV2373, to enhance immune responses and stimulate high levels of neutralizing antibodies.

* NVX-CoV2373 was highly immunogenic in animal models measuring spike protein-specific antibodies, with ACE-2 human receptor binding domain blocking activity and SARS-CoV-2 wild-type virus neutralizing antibodies observed. Blocking of the binding of the spike protein to the receptor as well as wild-type virus neutralizing antibodies was also observed, with high levels of spike protein-specific antibodies after a single immunization. The already high microneutralization titers seen after one dose increased eight fold with a second dose. High titer microneutralizing antibodies are generally accepted evidence that a vaccine is likely to be protective in humans.

* The NVX-CoV2373 clinical development plan combines a Phase 1/Phase 2 approach to allow rapid advancement during the current coronavirus pandemic. The Phase 1 portion of this trial will be placebo-controlled and observer blinded in ~130 healthy adults and will include assessment of dosage and vaccination. Recruiting for the trial began this month with preliminary immunogenicity and safety results expected in July.

* Novavax entered into an agreement with Emergent BioSolutions to provide contract development and manufacturing services, supplying Novavax with GMP vaccine product for use in its clinical trials. This agreement offers the potential to leverage Emergent’s rapid deployment capabilities and expertise that provide Novavax scalability and capacity to produce vaccine product.

https://ir.novavax.com/news-releases/news-release-details/novavax-reports-first-quarter-2020-financial-results