Exhibit 99.1
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Contact:
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Tricia Richardson |
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Novavax, Inc. |
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240-268-2031 |
Novavax Licenses Wyeths Virus-Like Particle Technology
ROCKVILLE, MD (July 9, 2007) Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX) announced today that is has signed
a non-exclusive, worldwide license agreement with Wyeth (NYSE: WYE), to obtain rights to a patent
application covering virus-like particle (VLP) technology for use in human vaccines in certain
fields of use. The agreement provides for an upfront payment, annual license fees, milestone
payments and royalties on any product sales. Payments under the
agreement to Wyeth could aggregate $5
million through the end of 2008.
Novavax is developing pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines based upon the VLP technology. VLPs
mimic the three-dimensional structure of a virus but do not contain genetic material. Therefore,
they cannot replicate and are believed to be incapable of causing infection or disease. Because
VLPs maintain functional properties of two influenza surface proteins, hemagglutinin and
neuraminidase, they have been shown to activate multiple responses in the immune system. The
licensed patent application supplements Novavaxs extensive patent portfolio in the VLP field.
We are delighted to have completed this license agreement with Wyeth and see this license as
another important step in building a strong intellectual property position for our influenza
vaccine programs, stated Rahul Singhvi, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Novavax, Inc.
About Novavax
Novavax Inc. is committed to leading the global fight against infectious disease by creating novel,
highly potent vaccines that are safer and more effective than current preventive options. Using the
companys proprietary virus-like particle (VLP) and Novasome® adjuvant technologies, Novavax is
developing vaccines to protect against H5N1 pandemic influenza, seasonal flu and other viral
diseases. Novavaxs particulate vaccines closely match disease-causing viruses while lacking the
genetic material to cause disease, which provides potential for greater immune protection at lower
doses than current vaccines. With an exclusive portable manufacturing system that allows for rapid
mass-production of vaccines, Novavax is uniquely positioned to meet global public health needs.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements herein relating to future financial or business performance, conditions or strategies
and other financial and business matters, including expectations regarding product sales, operating
expenses, and clinical developments are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Novavax cautions that these forward-looking statements
are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Factors that
may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking
statements or historical experience include risks and uncertainties, including the failure by
Novavax to secure and maintain relationships with collaborators; risks relating to the early stage
of Novavaxs product candidates under development; uncertainties relating to clinical trials; risks
relating to the commercialization, if any, of Novavaxs proposed product candidates; dependence on
the efforts of third parties; dependence on intellectual property; competition for clinical
resources and patient enrollment from drug candidates in development by other companies with
greater resources and visibility, and risks that we may lack the financial resources and access to
capital to fund our operations. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect
Novavaxs business, financial conditions and results of operations, is contained in Novavaxs
filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at
http://www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press
release, and Novavax assumes no duty to update forward-looking statements.