Biopharmaceuticals Respond to EG.5 Subvariant

As global COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surge, vaccine producers are racing to develop updated shots targeting these evolving threats. Among them, Novavax Inc. announced its latest protein-based COVID-19 vaccine's promising results against emerging virus forms, including the EG.5 subvariant, nicknamed "Eris," in initial animal studies.

The Eris subvariant, descended from the Omicron lineage originating in November 2021, has raised alarms due to its heightened transmissibility and potential severity. In response, vaccine manufacturers like Novavax, Moderna and Pfizer are adapting vaccine formulas to address Omicron and various offshoots.

Pfizer, in collaboration with BioNTech SE, reported a strong immune response from their updated vaccine against EG.5. Similarly, Moderna shared early trial data indicating their vaccine generated effective antibodies against both EG.5 and a related subvariant called "Fornax".

The emergence of EG.5 has intensified the urgency for vaccine adaptations to curtail the spread of these newer, more transmissible variants. The United States, Europe and Asia have seen a rise in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in recent months. Notably, EG.5 accounted for more than 17% of recent COVID-19 cases in the United States, according to the latest government data.

In Mexico, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) issued alerts about increasing COVID-19 cases nationwide. Hugo López-Gatell, Mexico’s Undersecretary of Health, attempted to reassure the public, describing the situation as relatively stable.

The World Health Organization (WHO) labeled the Eris subvariant a "variant of interest," indicating the need for closer monitoring due to potential mutations that could enhance contagiousness or severity. This classification underscores the importance of ongoing data sharing and robust surveillance between countries. These efforts extend beyond variant tracking, playing a pivotal role in forming effective strategies to mitigate the impact of new variants on global public health.

Following Novavax's positive vaccine results announcement, the company's shares surged by 3.2% to reach US$8.33 in pre-market trading. Novavax disclosed that its vaccine formulation produced virus-neutralizing antibodies against XBB subvariants, including EG.5.1 and XBB.1.16.6, during pre-clinical trials.