Vaccines from Novavax and Valneva have a promising future, according to preliminary estimates. Several countries are showing interest and approving the newest vaccines on the market, also due to the spread of the Omikron mutation, which is up to 3 times more contagious than Delta. Scientists even claim that there are other mutations. Some countries are already making vaccination compulsory or bringing in tougher measures for the unvaccinated as the situation in hospitals worsens.

Valneva VLA2001 vaccine

It appeared as the last in the vaccine portfolio for the European Union. VLA2001 is still under development and is based on an inactivated virus. More specifically, it contains inactivated (killed) SARS-CoV-2 virus, but this cannot cause COVID-19 disease. The vaccine contains substances to boost the immune response. After application, the immune system identifies the inactivated virus as a foreign particle and makes antibodies against it. If a vaccinated person comes into contact with the actual virus, their immune system responds by recognising the virus and being prepared to defend against it.

Valneva and its vaccine supplies

Valneva SE was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Saint-Herblain, France. It develops and markets prophylactic vaccines against infectious diseases. Its vaccines include IXIARO, a vaccine against Japanese encephalitis, DUKORAL, an oral vaccine for the prevention of diarrhoea, and others. VLA2001 is a vaccine candidate that has completed Phase I/II clinical trials against SARS-CoV-2. Countries where the company sells its products include the U.S., Canada, Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, England, and others. 

The number of doses secured for the EU has reached 60 million. Valneva has also received an order of 100 million doses of vaccines from the UK. However, the country terminated the contract with the company in early September due to alleged breaches of its contractual obligations. Following the UK's cancellation of the contract, the company's shares fell. The rebound of up to 30% came after the publication of successful clinical trials.  *

Performance of Valneva SE ADR. (Source: www.investing.com)

Nuvaxovid protein vaccine

A vaccine called Nuvaxovid has come on the market from the Novavax company. It has become the first protein coronavirus vaccine to be approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Scientists see hope in it, mainly because it is different from the others. It is protein-based, which means it contains laboratory-made parts of the spike protein. After vaccination, the immune system recognises the protein particles as foreign and triggers a defence response - it starts making antibodies and T-cells. If someone subsequently becomes infected with the coronavirus, the immune system recognises it and can fight back. Antibodies are formed and the T-cells kill the virus, preventing it from entering human cells and destroying the infected cells. The spike protein does not trigger a coronavirus infection. 

Within the EU, orders for Nuvaxovid have reached 200 million and it is officially approved for people over 18 years of age in the EU. The biotech company Novavax is also well positioned for success in the years to come thanks to this. South Korea is among the new countries that have authorised the use of the vaccine. Other countries that have approved it are Indonesia and the Philippines. Novavax's stock has outperformed the pharmaceutical sector in the previous year. However, they are currently weakening and have fallen by about 40% in the last 4 weeks despite the positive news. *We will see if the set negative rate changes direction in the coming time. 

Novavax Inc. Performance (Source: www.investing.com)

* Past performance is no guarantee of future results