Novavax: Russell (‘Rip’) Wilson
Novavax has created a leadership team to advance its influenza vaccine, NanoFlu, to regulatory licensure.
It will be headed up by Russell (‘Rip’) Wilson, J.D./M.B.A., who has been promoted to Executive Vice President and the newly-created role of NanoFlu General Manager.
Wilson (pictured left) will focus exclusively on leading efforts to advance NanoFlu, the company’s recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) protein nanoparticle influenza vaccine, through global licensure.
Novavax announced results of its successful NanoFlu pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial earlier this year and intends to seek regulatory approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the accelerated approval pathway previously granted to the company.
Wilson’s team will also explore the potential of a combined influenza/COVID-19 vaccine that could be used in a post-pandemic setting. The team will work in parallel with NVX-CoV2373: Novavax’ COVID-19 vaccine candidate, which is in Phase 3 trials.
Wilson joined Novavax in 2011 and was most recently responsible for global business development, quality and program management functions across the company’s pipeline.
The new NanoFlu leadership team also includes several Novavax veterans who have been involved in the vaccine’s development to date:
- Tim Hahn, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of CMC for NanoFlu, has led all CMC activities for NanoFlu since the beginning of the program. Most recently, Dr. Hahn led the establishment of a global supply chain for Novavax’ Matrix-M adjuvant. Matrix-M is a key component of both the NanoFlu and NVX-CoV2373 vaccines.
- Vivek Shinde, M.D., Vice President of Clinical Development for NanoFlu, has served as the clinical lead for the NanoFlu program since its inception and through Phase 3. Dr. Shinde also recently led the initiation of the Phase 2b clinical trial in South Africa for NVX-CoV2373.
