COVID-Influenza combination (CIC) investigational vaccine

The Novavax COVID-In uenza combination investigational vaccine uses the full-length, stabilized recombinant spike (rS) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and 4 wild-type recombinant Hemagglutinin (rHA) proteins from the influenza virus, as antigens. Antigens are organized into distinct nanoparticle complexes recognized by the immune system, working in concert with our Matrix-M™ adjuvant.¹

• 1

  Genes inserted into insect baculovirus

  SARS-CoV-2 spike and four Influenza Hemagglutinin (HA) genes (H1, H3, B-Y, B-V) are engineered into baculovirus for independent expression.

  
  PDB IDs: 1NNB, 4O5N
  
  H1: Influenza A (H1N1) 
  B-Y: Influenza B Yamagata lineage
  H3: Influenza A (H3N2) 
  B-V: Influenza B Victoria lineage

   

  
• 2

  Sf9 cells infected

  Recombinant baculovirus infects moth cells in the S. frugiperda (Sf9) expression system.

  
• 3

  DNA enters Sf9 cell nucleus

  Spike or HA DNA is transcribed.

  
• 4

  Sf9 cells produce proteins

  Proteins are each expressed in their native conformation.

  
• 5

  Nanoparticle formation

  Proteins are harvested. Vaccine nanoparticles assemble as proteins arranged around a Polysorbate 80 (PS80) core.

  
• 6

  Final vaccine

  Spike and HA vaccine nanoparticles are mixed with Matrix-M™ adjuvant to create the ready-to-use vaccine.

  

Combination vaccines reduce the number of shots required to help protect against multiple diseases.. Simplifying immunizations into fewer shots may make it more likely that people get recommended vaccinations on time, reducing delays in protection.^{2, 3} As both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 continue to circulate and evolve, combining these vaccines into a single shot could offer protection against both diseases. We believe that COVID-19 may become endemic and therefore may require seasonal vaccination, similar to the influenza vaccine.