Exhibit 99.1
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Contact:
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Tricia J. Richardson |
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Senior Manager, Investor Relations |
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Novavax, Inc. |
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240-268-2031 |
NOVAVAX Terminates Negotiations with
ROVI Pharmaceuticals for Influenza Vaccine Collaboration
Rockville, MD (February 08, 2010) /PRNewswire-FirstCall/Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX)
announced today that the company has decided to discontinue negotiations in its pursuit of the
previously announced collaboration with ROVI Pharmaceuticals (Madrid: ROVI) to develop Novavaxs
virus-like-particle (VLP)-based vaccines against influenza in the country of Spain. This decision
is due to the companies inability to agree on acceptable terms of the proposed collaboration and
to obtain the necessary funding commitments for the program. Novavax is free to seek a new
partner for its pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccine development efforts in Europe in the
future.
Dr. Rahul Singhvi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novavax, stated: We are disappointed
that we could not reach agreement with ROVI on the terms of our proposed collaboration and obtain
the necessary funds to guarantee the advancement of the influenza program in Spain. We appreciate
the Spanish governments interest in working with us to develop a VLP-based flu vaccine solution
for Spain and will continue to seek partners for in-border development of our influenza vaccines
throughout Europe. In the meantime, we are continuing to make great progress with the development
of our vaccines in Mexico, India and the US. In Mexico, we are currently awaiting results from our
H1N1 influenza vaccine clinical study. In India, we expect to open a VLP vaccine production
facility in March. And in the United States, we are awaiting results of our seasonal influenza
vaccine study in the elderly. We also anticipate receiving an ultimate decision from the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority
(BARDA) regarding funding to develop recombinant influenza vaccines and look forward to launching
clinical development of our vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) later this year.
About Novavax
Novavax, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company creating novel vaccines to address a broad
range of infectious diseases worldwide, including H1N1, using advanced proprietary
virus-like-particle (VLP) technology. The company produces potent VLP-based recombinant vaccines
utilizing new and efficient manufacturing approaches. Novavax is committed to using its VLP
technology to create country-specific vaccine solutions. The company has formed a joint venture
with Cadila Pharmaceuticals, named CPL Biologicals, to develop and manufacture vaccines, biological
therapeutics and diagnostics in India. Additional information about Novavax is available on the
companys website: www.novavax.com
Forward-looking Statements
Statements herein relating to future financial or business performance, conditions or strategies
and other financial and business matters, including expectations regarding revenues, operating
expenses, cash burn, and clinical developments and anticipated milestones 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 Companys ability to progress any product candidates in preclinical or
clinical trials; the scope, rate and progress of its preclinical studies and clinical trials and
other research and development activities; clinical trial results; current results may not be
predictive of future results; even if the data from preclinical studies or clinical trials is
positive, the product may not prove to be safe and efficacious; Novavaxs pilot plant facility is
subject to extensive validation and FDA inspections, which may result in delays and increased
costs; our ability to enter into future collaborations with industry partners and the government
and the terms, timing and success of any such collaboration; the cost of filing, prosecuting,
defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights; our ability to
obtain rights to technology; competition for clinical resources and patient enrollment from drug
candidates in development by other companies with greater resources and visibility; our ability to
obtain adequate financing in the future through product licensing, co-promotional arrangements,
public or private equity or debt financing or otherwise; general business conditions; competition;
business abilities and judgment of personnel; and the availability of qualified personnel. 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 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.
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