Organization	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Organization [Abstract]
Organization	Note 1 - Organization Novavax, Inc. (the "Company") is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing recombinant protein nanoparticle vaccines to address a broad range of infectious diseases. The Company's goal is to become a profitable vaccine company that is aggressively driving towards development, licensure and commercialization of an important portfolio of vaccines worldwide. The Company's technology platform is based on proprietary recombinant vaccine technology that includes virus-like particles ("VLPs") and recombinant protein micelle vaccines combined with a single-use bioprocessing production system. These vaccine candidates are genetically engineered three-dimensional nanostructures that incorporate immunologically important recombinant proteins. The Company's product pipeline targets a variety of infectious diseases and its vaccine candidates are currently in or have completed clinical trials that target pandemic (H5N1) influenza, seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus ("RSV"). In 2009, the Company formed a joint venture with Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited ("Cadila") named CPL Biologicals Private Limited (the "JV") to develop and manufacture vaccines, biological therapeutics and diagnostics in India. The JV is owned 20% by the Company and 80% by Cadila. The Company accounts for its investment in the JV using the equity method.

Organization

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Note 1 - Organization

Novavax, Inc. (the "Company") is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing recombinant protein nanoparticle vaccines to address a broad range of infectious diseases. The Company's goal is to become a profitable vaccine company that is aggressively driving towards development, licensure and commercialization of an important portfolio of vaccines worldwide. The Company's technology platform is based on proprietary recombinant vaccine technology that includes virus-like particles ("VLPs") and recombinant protein micelle vaccines combined with a single-use bioprocessing production system. These vaccine candidates are genetically engineered three-dimensional nanostructures that incorporate immunologically important recombinant proteins. The Company's product pipeline targets a variety of infectious diseases and its vaccine candidates are currently in or have completed clinical trials that target pandemic (H5N1) influenza, seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus ("RSV").

In 2009, the Company formed a joint venture with Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited ("Cadila") named CPL Biologicals Private Limited (the "JV") to develop and manufacture vaccines, biological therapeutics and diagnostics in India. The JV is owned 20% by the Company and 80% by Cadila. The Company accounts for its investment in the JV using the equity method.