The European Union (EU) could sign a supply deal with Novavax this week or the next for the US company’s Covid-19 vaccine candidate, two EU officials involved in the talks with the firm have said, Reuters reported.

“Talks with Novavax have intensified and we aim to agree the contract this week or [the] next,” one EU official said.

A second EU official, involved in talks, confirmed that possible timetable for a deal, but added that discussions with the company’s lawyers were still underway, declining to elaborate on what were the outstanding issues.