Novavax Enters $30M Licensing Agreement with Pfizer for Matrix-M Adjuvant
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 20 2026
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Source: Benzinga
- Licensing Agreement Details: Novavax has signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Pfizer, allowing the latter to use Novavax's Matrix-M adjuvant, with Novavax receiving a $30 million upfront payment and potential for up to $500 million in development and sales milestones.
- Product Development Responsibility: Pfizer will be responsible for the development and commercialization of products utilizing Matrix-M, while Novavax will supply the adjuvant, further monetizing Novavax's vaccine platform through this collaboration.
- Market Performance Analysis: Novavax shares are currently trading at $8.19, 9.3% below the 20-day simple moving average, indicating short-term weakness, with an 8.85% decline over the past 12 months, positioning closer to 52-week lows.
- Market Sentiment Assessment: According to Benzinga Edge scores, Novavax has a momentum score of 37.48, indicating a lackluster performance in the market; while the value score suggests it may be undervalued, the low momentum score advises traders to remain cautious in the current environment.
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Analyst Views on NVAX
Wall Street analysts forecast NVAX stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for NVAX is 10.50 USD with a low forecast of 6.00 USD and a high forecast of 18.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
6 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
0 Hold
3 Sell
Hold
Current: 9.230
Low
6.00
Averages
10.50
High
18.00
Current: 9.230
Low
6.00
Averages
10.50
High
18.00
About NVAX
Novavax, Inc. is a biotechnology company. It is focused on addressing global health challenges through its vaccines and its proven technology platform, including protein-based nanoparticles and its Matrix-M adjuvant. Matrix-M can be used to create vaccines for a variety of diseases to help tackle some of the pressing health challenges. Its proprietary Matrix-M adjuvant, when added to vaccines, has been shown to help induce a stronger and longer-lasting immune response. Its recombinant protein-based nanoparticle technology has been shown to be highly immunogenetic. Its technology platform is used in its authorized COVID-19 vaccine and the R21/Matrix-M adjuvant malaria vaccine. Its late-stage programs include a COVID-19-Influenzavaccine candidate, and an influenza vaccine candidate. R21/Matrix-M adjuvant malaria vaccine, a malaria vaccine developed by its partner. It provides Matrix-M adjuvant for use in various programs in preclinical and clinical stage, and preclinical investigations.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Novavax Faces Challenges Despite Recent Gains
- Market Value Decline: Over the past five years, Novavax has seen its market value drop by more than 90%, and although it successfully launched a coronavirus vaccine, it struggled to maintain competitive sales against market leaders, resulting in significant financial challenges for the company.
- Licensing Agreement: Novavax entered a non-exclusive licensing deal with Pfizer, securing a $30 million upfront payment and potential milestone payments of up to $500 million, along with royalties on future products, providing a potential revenue boost for the company.
- Vaccine Development Setbacks: While Novavax is working on a flu vaccine and a combination coronavirus/flu vaccine, progress has been hindered by a clinical hold on phase 3 studies, and increasing competition in the market may impact future sales performance.
- Uncertain Market Outlook: With U.S. regulators changing recommendations on coronavirus vaccines, Novavax's revenue outlook has become more uncertain, and despite potential collaboration opportunities, the overall market environment remains challenging.
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Pfizer Shares Rise on Upgraded Price Forecast
- Forecast Upgrade: Cantor Fitzgerald raised Pfizer's price forecast from $24 to $27, providing a positive catalyst for the pharmaceutical giant despite a 1.6% decline in the broader healthcare sector.
- Licensing Agreement: Pfizer entered a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Novavax for its Matrix-M adjuvant technology, granting Novavax a $30 million upfront payment and potential milestones up to $500 million, indicating Pfizer's proactive approach in product development.
- FDA Breakthrough Therapy: Pfizer's Sutent, in combination with Cogent Biosciences' bezuclastinib, received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation after showing a 50% reduction in disease progression risk, enhancing Pfizer's competitive edge in oncology treatments.
- Leadership Warning: At the World Economic Forum, CEO Albert Bourla warned that reduced funding for U.S. universities has weakened America's position in global health research, highlighting China's dominance in health research rankings.
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