** Shares of vaccine maker Novavax NVAX.O rise 4.5% to $8.37 premarket
** NVAX says it is entering into a licensing agreement with Pfizer PFE.N to develop vaccines for infectious diseases
** PFE will gain access to NVAX's Matrix-M adjuvant technology allowing the drugmaker to research, develop, and commercialize vaccines that contain the adjuvant
** An adjuvant is an ingredient used in some vaccines that helps create a stronger immune response
** NVAX will receive an upfront payment of $30 million in Q1. It is eligible to receive up to an additional $500 million in milestone payments
** Up to last close, stock had fallen 6.1% in the last 12 months
(Reporting by Puyaan Singh)
((Puyaan.Singh@thomsonreuters.com;))