Novavax and Serum Institute of India (SII), announced that the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for Novavax recombinant nanoparticle protein-based Covid-19 vaccine with Matrix-M adjuvant. The vaccine will be manufactured and marketed in the Philippines by SII under the brand name Covovax

"With less than a third of the Philippine population fully immunized, we expect the option for a protein vaccine, built on a well-understood technology platform, to contribute substantially to increased vaccination rates," said Stanley C. Erck, President and Chief Executive Officer, Novavax. "Novavax looks forward to SII's delivery of the vaccine to the Philippines, and with additional authorizations expected elsewhere soon, to helping control the COVID-19 pandemic around the globe."

Because the vaccine is stored with standard refrigeration at 2° to 8° Celsius, it may be transported and stored using existing vaccine supply chain, potentially increasing access in hard-to-reach areas.

"The approval of Covovax in the Philippines is another step forward in the global fight against the coronavirus," said Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer, Serum Institute of India. "We are proud to deliver the first protein-based Covid-19 vaccine to the Philippines."