|
 Novavax executives had previously said full-scale vaccine production
could be achieved by mid-year. The company told Reuters in January
it expected to reach full production capacity by May or June.
"We said during our earnings call that we expect all capacity being
online by around mid-year. We’re continuing to refine that timing as
we get closer, which now leads us to think we’re online/at full
capacity by Q3," Novavax communications director Amy Speak said by
email on Monday.
"There are some supply shortages that come and go that have
contributed to the revision in timing," she added. "These have
included things like the bioreactor bags and filters."
Novavax could receive UK regulatory authorization for its vaccine as
early as this month after releasing impressive UK trial data. It
anticipates clearance in the United States could come as early as
May after soon-to-be released data from its U.S. vaccine trial are
reviewed by regulators.
The Maryland-based company is one of several COVID-19 vaccine makers
that have had to push back production timelines due to industrywide
shortages of raw materials and difficulties getting plants up and
running.
Reuters reported last month that Novavax had delayed a planned deal
to ship at least 100 million doses of its two-shot vaccine to the
European Union, in part because of supply challenges.
[to top of second column] |
 In a Saturday interview with
the Guardian, Novavax Chief Executive Stan Erck
said the company has faced difficulties sourcing
key production materials including single-use
bags used to grow vaccine cells.
"Single-use bags are facing critical shortages
and delays," said Mark Womack, chief business
officer of AGC Biologics, a contract
manufacturer that is producing materials used in
Novavax's vaccine.
Data released in March from the UK trial showed
the vaccine to be highly effective against the
original strain of the novel coronavirus as well
as the more contagious and deadly variant first
discovered in Britain and now rampant in Europe
and the United States. The data also suggests
the shot provides some protection against a
highly concerning variant that emerged in South
Africa, which some drugmakers have said may
require a booster shot to address.
(Reporting by Carl O'Donnell; Editing by Peter
Henderson and Bill Berkrot)
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