Novavax Partners with Pfizer in Key Licensing Deal
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 26 2026
0mins
Should l Buy NVAX?
Source: Benzinga
- Pfizer Licensing Agreement: Novavax has entered a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Pfizer, allowing the latter to use Novavax's Matrix-M adjuvant, resulting in a $30 million upfront payment and potential development and sales milestones totaling up to $500 million, significantly enhancing Novavax's ability to monetize its vaccine platform.
- Financial Support Boost: This agreement enables Novavax to secure non-dilutive cash flow and ongoing royalties from future product sales, which can fund late-stage programs, improve its balance sheet, and extend its cash runway, thereby reducing development and marketing risks.
- Increased Focus on Respiratory Illnesses: With rising flu and RSV activity in the U.S., Novavax's vaccine technology has gained relevance, leading to heightened investor interest in its seasonal and respiratory vaccines, further driving the company's stock price upward.
- Strong Market Performance: Novavax shares surged 5.67% to $9.69 on Monday, trading 25.4% and 25.5% above its 20-day and 100-day simple moving averages, indicating a robust short-term market trend.
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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: 7.870
Low
6.00
Averages
10.50
High
18.00
Current: 7.870
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.
Pfizer Q4 Earnings Preview: Analysts Expect Decline
- Earnings Release Announcement: Pfizer is set to release its Q4 earnings before the market opens on February 3, with analysts projecting earnings per share of 57 cents, down from 63 cents a year ago, indicating a potential decline in profitability.
- Revenue Expectations Decline: The consensus estimate for Pfizer's quarterly revenue stands at $16.83 billion, a decrease from $17.76 billion in the previous year, suggesting that weakening market demand may impact the company's overall performance.
- Stock Price Movement: Ahead of the earnings report, Pfizer's stock rose 1.4% to close at $26.44 on Friday, reflecting some investor confidence despite the unfavorable earnings outlook.
- Collaboration Agreement Update: On January 20, Novavax announced a licensing agreement with Pfizer for the use of its Matrix-M adjuvant, which could provide a new growth avenue for Pfizer's product line, even as short-term financial performance faces challenges.
See More
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.
See More
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.
See More
Novavax Partners with Pfizer in Key Licensing Deal
- Pfizer Licensing Agreement: Novavax has entered a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Pfizer, allowing the latter to use Novavax's Matrix-M adjuvant, resulting in a $30 million upfront payment and potential development and sales milestones totaling up to $500 million, significantly enhancing Novavax's ability to monetize its vaccine platform.
- Financial Support Boost: This agreement enables Novavax to secure non-dilutive cash flow and ongoing royalties from future product sales, which can fund late-stage programs, improve its balance sheet, and extend its cash runway, thereby reducing development and marketing risks.
- Increased Focus on Respiratory Illnesses: With rising flu and RSV activity in the U.S., Novavax's vaccine technology has gained relevance, leading to heightened investor interest in its seasonal and respiratory vaccines, further driving the company's stock price upward.
- Strong Market Performance: Novavax shares surged 5.67% to $9.69 on Monday, trading 25.4% and 25.5% above its 20-day and 100-day simple moving averages, indicating a robust short-term market trend.
See More
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- Analyst Rating Divergence: Despite Moderna's 39% stock price increase over the past year, analysts remain cautious, assigning a ‘Hold’ rating with a price target of $37.40, indicating a 25% downside risk, reflecting concerns about its future performance.
- Optimistic Outlook for Novavax: Novavax closed at $9.90, with analysts projecting a 12-month price target of $12.89, suggesting a 30% upside, indicating confidence in its growth potential.
- Significant Licensing Agreement: Novavax's non-exclusive licensing deal with Pfizer includes a $30 million upfront payment and up to $500 million in development and sales milestones, showcasing its strategic positioning in the vaccine market and potential future revenue.
- High Market Sentiment: On Stocktwits, retail sentiment for both Moderna and Novavax is ‘extremely bullish’, with Novavax's message activity surging over 600% in the past year, indicating strong investor confidence in its future performance.
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- Committee Role: The Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines recommends which vaccines and conditions should be included in the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, and the dismissal of advisors could impact the recommendations and implementation of this program.
- Historical Comparison: This dismissal parallels Kennedy's decision in 2025 to fire all members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, reflecting his skepticism towards vaccines and significant adjustments to vaccine policy.
- Vaccination Changes: Under Kennedy's leadership, the CDC has made notable changes to the U.S. immunization schedule, including recommending fewer vaccines for most American children, which could affect overall child health and vaccination rates.
See More
Pfizer Q4 Earnings Preview: Analysts Expect Decline
- Earnings Release Announcement: Pfizer is set to release its Q4 earnings before the market opens on February 3, with analysts projecting earnings per share of 57 cents, down from 63 cents a year ago, indicating a potential decline in profitability.
- Revenue Expectations Decline: The consensus estimate for Pfizer's quarterly revenue stands at $16.83 billion, a decrease from $17.76 billion in the previous year, suggesting that weakening market demand may impact the company's overall performance.
- Stock Price Movement: Ahead of the earnings report, Pfizer's stock rose 1.4% to close at $26.44 on Friday, reflecting some investor confidence despite the unfavorable earnings outlook.
- Collaboration Agreement Update: On January 20, Novavax announced a licensing agreement with Pfizer for the use of its Matrix-M adjuvant, which could provide a new growth avenue for Pfizer's product line, even as short-term financial performance faces challenges.
See More
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.
See More
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.
See More
Novavax Partners with Pfizer in Key Licensing Deal
- Pfizer Licensing Agreement: Novavax has entered a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Pfizer, allowing the latter to use Novavax's Matrix-M adjuvant, resulting in a $30 million upfront payment and potential development and sales milestones totaling up to $500 million, significantly enhancing Novavax's ability to monetize its vaccine platform.
- Financial Support Boost: This agreement enables Novavax to secure non-dilutive cash flow and ongoing royalties from future product sales, which can fund late-stage programs, improve its balance sheet, and extend its cash runway, thereby reducing development and marketing risks.
- Increased Focus on Respiratory Illnesses: With rising flu and RSV activity in the U.S., Novavax's vaccine technology has gained relevance, leading to heightened investor interest in its seasonal and respiratory vaccines, further driving the company's stock price upward.
- Strong Market Performance: Novavax shares surged 5.67% to $9.69 on Monday, trading 25.4% and 25.5% above its 20-day and 100-day simple moving averages, indicating a robust short-term market trend.
See More
Analysts Favor Novavax Over Moderna After $30M Pfizer Licensing Deal
- Analyst Rating Divergence: Despite Moderna's 39% stock price increase over the past year, analysts remain cautious, assigning a ‘Hold’ rating with a price target of $37.40, indicating a 25% downside risk, reflecting concerns about its future performance.
- Optimistic Outlook for Novavax: Novavax closed at $9.90, with analysts projecting a 12-month price target of $12.89, suggesting a 30% upside, indicating confidence in its growth potential.
- Significant Licensing Agreement: Novavax's non-exclusive licensing deal with Pfizer includes a $30 million upfront payment and up to $500 million in development and sales milestones, showcasing its strategic positioning in the vaccine market and potential future revenue.
- High Market Sentiment: On Stocktwits, retail sentiment for both Moderna and Novavax is ‘extremely bullish’, with Novavax's message activity surging over 600% in the past year, indicating strong investor confidence in its future performance.
See More
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Dismisses Four Childhood Vaccine Advisors, Impacting Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
- Advisor Dismissals: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed four childhood vaccine advisors before their terms expired, indicating a strong stance on vaccine policy that may affect legal protections for vaccine manufacturers.
- Committee Role: The Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines recommends which vaccines and conditions should be included in the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, and the dismissal of advisors could impact the recommendations and implementation of this program.
- Historical Comparison: This dismissal parallels Kennedy's decision in 2025 to fire all members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, reflecting his skepticism towards vaccines and significant adjustments to vaccine policy.
- Vaccination Changes: Under Kennedy's leadership, the CDC has made notable changes to the U.S. immunization schedule, including recommending fewer vaccines for most American children, which could affect overall child health and vaccination rates.
See More
