SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO - Vaxart, Inc. (NASDAQ:VXRT), a clinical-stage biotechnology firm, has released preclinical study data suggesting its oral HPV vaccine candidates may offer a non-invasive treatment for HPV-related cervical dysplasia. The study, published in the journal Vaccines, indicates that the company’s vaccine constructs targeting HPV16 proteins E6 and E7 elicited strong T cell responses, reduced tumor size, and improved survival rates in mice.
HPV infection is a significant contributor to cervical dysplasia, which can progress to cervical cancer if untreated. Current HPV vaccines are preventive but do not treat existing infections. Vaxart’s findings show that its mucosal vaccines can stimulate T cells to attack HPV-expressing cells, reducing tumor volume and enhancing survival in mice with HPV-related tumors.
The study evaluated the therapeutic potential of vaccines expressing both wildtype and engineered antigens from HPV16, as well as fragments designed to stimulate an immune response. All tested vaccines generated a specific T cell response and significantly reduced tumor volume compared to controls. Combining the vaccine with anti-PD-1 therapy further increased survival rates.
Dr. Sean Tucker, Vaxart’s Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, noted that while further studies are necessary to fully understand the vaccine's immune-stimulating and anti-tumor activities, these initial findings are promising. He emphasized the potential of the mucosal vaccine platform to provide an easy-to-administer, room-temperature-stable option that could help address global disparities in HPV-related cancer treatments.
Vaxart’s oral vaccine technology aims to offer several advantages over traditional vaccines, including ease of administration, stability at room temperature, and the elimination of needle-stick injuries. The company continues to evaluate its HPV vaccine candidates and is also developing oral vaccines for other diseases, including coronavirus, norovirus, and influenza.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. The company has cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which reflect management's current beliefs and expectations but are subject to risks and uncertainties.
Please note that this article is based on a press release statement.
In other recent news, Vaxart, Inc. has unveiled its Q2 2024 financial results, underscoring a notable $453 million contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for its COVID-19 vaccine initiative. The company also reported encouraging results from a Phase 1 trial for its norovirus vaccine program. Vaxart's revenue for the quarter stood at $6.4 million, largely due to the BARDA contract, and concluded with $62.6 million in cash reserves.
Further strengthening its financial position, Vaxart received an additional $64.7 million from BARDA after the quarter's close, ensuring a cash runway extending into 2026. The company is currently in talks with the FDA regarding its COVID-19 and norovirus vaccine programs and plans to launch a large-scale Phase 2b COVID-19 trial later in the year.
These recent developments emphasize Vaxart's commitment to advancing its vaccine candidates, backed by substantial funding from BARDA. The forthcoming Phase 2b trial for its COVID-19 vaccine and the progress in the norovirus program position Vaxart as a significant contender in the development of next-generation vaccines.
InvestingPro Insights
Vaxart, Inc. (NASDAQ:VXRT) has shown potential in its preclinical studies for an oral HPV vaccine, which could revolutionize the treatment for HPV-related conditions. While the scientific community may be optimistic about the therapeutic potential of Vaxart's vaccines, a glance at the company's financial health and market performance offers additional context for investors.
InvestingPro Data reveals a market capitalization of $195.62 million, indicating the company's size in the biotechnology sector. The data also highlights a significant revenue growth of 577.76% in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, which could be reflective of the company's advancements in its vaccine development. Despite this impressive growth, the gross profit margin stands at -375.3%, underscoring the company's current challenges in turning its research into profitable outcomes.
From an investment perspective, Vaxart's performance has been mixed. The company has experienced a strong return over the last month, with a 27.29% price total return. This could signal growing investor confidence in the company's future prospects. However, it's worth noting that Vaxart does not pay a dividend to shareholders, which may influence the investment decisions for those seeking regular income.
InvestingPro Tips further inform us that Vaxart holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which is a positive sign of financial stability. On the flip side, analysts have noted that the company is quickly burning through cash and suffers from weak gross profit margins. Moreover, they do not anticipate Vaxart will be profitable this year, and the company has not been profitable over the last twelve months.
For those looking to delve deeper into the financials and forecasts for Vaxart, InvestingPro offers additional tips, with a total of 8 valuable insights available at https://www.investing.com/pro/VXRT. These insights could prove crucial for investors trying to gauge the potential risks and rewards associated with Vaxart's stock, especially in the volatile biotech industry.
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