Novavax (NVAX) News Today

Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX) shares have risen after the U.S. Food & Drug Administration granted full approval to Nuvaxovid, its protein-based COVID-19 vaccine. The approval—coming nearly two months after the emergency use authorization lapsed—triggers a $175 million milestone payment from Sanofi but includes unexpected eligibility limits, restricting use to adults 65+ and 12-64 year-olds with underlying risk factors.

Key investor takeaways:

• Regulatory win with caveats: Full Biologics License Application approval bolsters Novavax’s competitive position, but narrow indication may limit market share against mRNA rivals.
• Analyst sentiment remains cautious:
  • JPMorgan (Underweight; $7 target) views the approval as a modest near-term boost, but points to ongoing competitive and financial headwinds.
  • Bank of America (Hold; $10 target) highlights potential from an expanding pipeline but sees limited upside until broader label expansion or new data arrive.
• Financial impact: The Sanofi milestone payment provides near-term cash inflow, yet investors will watch real-world uptake and additional royalty triggers to gauge revenue sustainability.

Overall, today’s stock increase reflects relief over full FDA clearance and milestone funding, but the narrow approval scope and mixed analyst ratings suggest continued volatility ahead.