GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 7, 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 Cynthia N. Oliver, Ph.D. to the position of Senior Vice President, Process Development Operations, effective April 8, 2014. Dr. Oliver will be responsible for all process development activities, with a specific focus on the company's RSV F-protein nanoparticle, seasonal influenza and pandemic influenza vaccine candidates.
Dr. Oliver has been a consultant of Novavax since 2011 where her significant expertise and experiences have helped the Company formulate and execute on critical process development strategies. From 1993 until 2010, Dr. Oliver held a variety of positions, including Vice President, Process Biochemistry and Formulation Sciences at Medimmune, Inc., with responsibilities that included vaccines, proteins, monoclonal antibodies and small molecules, including the commercial products Synagis® and FluMist®. Prior to MedImmune, she had similar responsibilities at Merck Research Laboratories, and spent a number of years working at the National Institutes of Health in the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. She earned her doctorate from Johns Hopkins, her masters from University of Massachusetts, and her bachelor's degree from Connecticut College.
"At Novavax, successful process development is critical to the ongoing development of our novel vaccines and it serves as the foundation upon which a consistent, GMP commercial manufacturing process is built. Cindy's extensive experience, industry knowledge and managerial aptitude complement our ongoing efforts to bring our RSV, seasonal influenza and pandemic influenza vaccine candidates to licensure," said Stan Erck, President and CEO of Novavax, Inc. "After working with us as a consultant for three years, I am delighted that Cindy has agreed to join Novavax to lead our process development efforts."
Dr. Oliver remarked, "Novavax' progress and success in Phase 2 clinical trials evidences its commitment to bringing important, and in the case of RSV, industry-leading vaccines to the market. I have been delighted to consult with Novavax to this stage, and am equally delighted to head up our efforts to develop safe, high quality vaccines and state-of-the-art vaccine production. Novavax' approach to developing these and other, earlier-stage preclinical vaccine candidates, has tremendous commercial potential, and I am honored to lead the process development function that supports this exciting technology."
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
