Ardena expands capacity to satisfy Novavax COVID vaccine demand

Ardena, a specialist pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), announced it will be expanding its capacity for purification and fractionation of GMP manufacturing at its site in Södertälje, Sweden. The expansion will satisfy long-term demand expected from Novavax for production of the company’s COVID-19 vaccine, among others.

The expansion comes following the grant of conditional marketing authorisation by the European Commission for Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine, Nuvaxovid.

For 15 years, Ardena has been proud to partner with Novavax on the development of the fractionation process for their proprietary Matrix-M™ adjuvant, a key component of the vaccine. Only the fifth vaccine approved in Europe, Nuvaxovid is a recombinant protein-based vaccine co-formulated with Matrix-M adjuvant to enhance an immune response.

The expansion plan includes additional chromatography, tangential flow filtration and lyophilization capabilities.

Speaking of the plans Harry Christiaens, Ardena CEO, said: “This announcement will significantly enhance our ability to help Novavax deliver more vaccines. It makes me proud that our company is part of the continuing innovation and multiple partnerships going on worldwide to tackle COVID-19.”