On Apr. 19, 2022, Novavax announced that its partner, Takeda, received manufacturing and marketing approval from the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for its Nuvaxovid Intramuscular Injection (Nuvaxovid), Novavax’ novel recombinant protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, for primary and booster immunization in individuals aged 18 and older.

Nuvaxovid (NVX-CoV2373 outside Japan and TAK-019 in Japan) was the first protein-based vaccine to be authorized for use in Japan.