Activity of a Recombinant Nanoparticle Vaccine Against the South African SARS-CoV-2 Variant

Novavax's NVX-CoV2373 nanoparticle vaccine, composed of a saponin-adjuvanted recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, was initially shown to be well tolerated and immunogenic in humans. To examine whether this efficacy extends to variant strains such as B.1.351, investigators randomized adults in South Africa to receive two injections of NVX-CoV2373 or placebo 21 days apart. The primary endpoints were safety and vaccine efficacy (VE) at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 beginning 7 days after the second dose in participants without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Among 4406 randomized participants, 4332 received both doses. Participants' mean age was 32, 20% were obese, 5% had hypertension, and 30% had evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2…