Clinical stage vaccine company Novavax is expanding in Montgomery County with plans to add at least 400 new jobs over the next four years.

The Gaithersburg company has purchased additional land in the county and will expand into a new R&D, manufacturing, and office facility. The company expects to add the majority of the new positions by March 2021.

Novavax is among a number of U.S. life sciences companies developing a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Earlier this year, the company was awarded up to $1.6 billion through Operation Warp Speed to complete late-stage clinical development, establish large-scale manufacturing, and deliver 100 million vaccine doses as early as late 2020, as well as up to $388 million from the international Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and $60 million through a U.S. Department of Defense contract to support vaccine production.

“Novavax has been on the forefront in the fight against COVID-19, and we are proud to support this expansion and the new jobs that it will bring,” said Governor Larry Hogan, who toured Novavax’s headquarters last month. “The work that Novavax is doing, right here in Maryland, will impact millions around the world as we continue on the road to recovery from this global pandemic.”

“It is exciting to see the growth of one of Maryland’s home-grown life sciences companies, and we look forward to more great things to come from Novavax,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz.

Read more