Novavax Appoints John J. Trizzino as Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations

March 10, 2014 08:30 | Source: Novavax, Inc.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of recombinant nanoparticle vaccines and adjuvants, today announced the appointment of John J. Trizzino to the position of Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, effective March 10, 2014. Mr. Trizzino will be responsible for developing and implementing the commercialization strategy in support of the company's product candidates, including its RSV F, quadrivalent seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccine candidates.

Mr. Trizzino previously served as Novavax' Senior Vice President of International and Government Alliances beginning in 2009 and its Senior Vice President of Business Development from 2010 to 2011. In these roles, Mr. Trizzino played a key role in negotiating the company's $179 million contract with HHS BARDA. Mr. Trizzino brings the depth and breadth of vaccine industry knowledge, along with extensive experience with the global influenza and RSV markets, required for this position. Most recently he was the CEO of Immunovaccine, and prior to his time at Novavax, served as Vice President of the Vaccine Franchise at MedImmune LLC, Senior Vice President of Business Development at ID Biomedical and Vice President of Business Development at Henry Schein, Inc., all the while having commercial responsibility within the pediatric and adult infectious disease vaccine market.

"With our success in product development in the clinic, and our expectations around future development plans, we recognize the need to maximize the value of our vaccine candidates through a fully developed commercialization strategy. John's knowledge of the vaccine industry, with specific experience in vaccine commercialization, distribution and reimbursement, provide us with the insight needed to develop that commercialization strategy," said Stan Erck, President and CEO of Novavax. "We are very excited to have John return to the team and look forward to his contributions to our success."

"Novavax is at an important milestone in the development of its RSV, seasonal influenza and pandemic influenza vaccines. As these vaccine candidates move into the later stages of clinical development it is the right time to develop a commercialization strategy to ensure a successful path to market. Novavax' RSV vaccine has the opportunity to be the first vaccine to address the significant burden of this disease in both the very old and the very young. The cost of treating RSV illness, hospitalization and preventing loss of life is a multibillion dollar global market opportunity. I am looking forward to working with the Novavax team again in pursuit of these and the other vaccine candidates in its pipeline."

About Novavax

Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company creating novel vaccines and vaccine adjuvants to address a broad range of infectious diseases worldwide. Using innovative proprietary recombinant protein nanoparticle vaccine technology, the company produces vaccine candidates to efficiently and effectively respond to both known and newly emergent diseases. Additional information about Novavax is available on the company's website, novavax.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements herein relating to the future of Novavax and the ongoing development of its vaccine and adjuvant products are forward-looking statements. Novavax cautions that these forward looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include those identified under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Novavax Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Investors are cautioned not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. You are encouraged to read company filings with the SEC, available at sec.gov, for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this document, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of the statements. The company's business is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, including those referenced above. Investors, potential investors, and others should give careful consideration to these risks and uncertainties.

Barclay A. Phillips
SVP, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Novavax, Inc.
240-268-2000
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