Ardena, a specialist CDMO, is expanding its capacity for purification and fractionation of GMP manufacturing at its site in Södertälje, Sweden. The expansion is set to meet long-term demand from Novavax for production of the its COVID-19 vaccine, among others.
The expansion follows the grant of conditional marketing authorisation by the European Commission for Novavax’s Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine.
The companies have partnered for more than 15 years on the development of the fractionation process for Novavax’s proprietary Matrix-M adjuvant, a key component of the vaccine. The vaccine is a recombinant protein-based vaccine co-formulated with Matrix-M adjuvant, designed to enhance the immune response.
The expansion plan includes additional chromatography, tangential flow filtration and lyophilisation capabilities. 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.”