BRIEF—Novavax' protein-based COVID vaccine induces broadly neutralizing responses against XBB subvariants

US biopharma Novavax’ updated protein-based XBB COVID vaccine candidate induced neutralizing antibody responses to the EG.5.1 and XBB.1.16.6 subvariants in small animal and non-human primate studies, the company has announced.

XBB sublineage variants are overwhelmingly responsible for the majority of current COVID-19 cases in the USA and European Union.

Filip Dubovsky, president of research and development, Novavax, said: “We have a lot of confidence in our updated COVID vaccine and are working diligently with global regulatory bodies to ensure our protein-based vaccine is available this fall.”