Novavax Gains US Patent for Influenza VLP Vaccines

Novavax, Inc. (Rockville, MD) has been issued US Patent No. 7,763,450 for Functional Influenza Virus-Like Particles (VLPs). The patent covers the use of influenza gene sequences for high-yield production of consistent influenza VLP vaccines to protect against current and future seasonal and pandemic strains of influenza viruses.

Novavax’s newly patented influenza vaccine technology uses hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), major proteins found on the surface of the influenza virus together with a single influenza matrix 1 (M1) protein, to form the core of the influenza VLP. As new influenza strains emerge, Novavax’s technology allows HA and NA to be engineered to match strains recommended by US and world health regulatory authorities and then combined with a universal M1 protein. Novavax has identified an M1 protein that efficiently forms VLPs from multiple influenza strains, including the human A and B strains that currently are responsible for the disease worldwide. This process promotes the production of VLPs that have a more uniform shape and size, which Novavax believes will add to the consistency and safety of its vaccines.