Vaxart’s stock fell 60% after the company failed to find neutralizing antibodies in clinical trials of its oral Covid vaccine, according to CNBC. The disappointing results came even as the company found promising outcomes in an early-stage clinical trial of 35 healthy adults of the experimental vaccine.
- Vaxart’s vaccine, a small tablet, generated a type of T-cell responsible for destroying virus-infected cells in about 75% of volunteers who received a single low or high dose.
- Vaxart is now assessing antibody responses from second doses after antibodies were detected in nasal swab samples of two-dose volunteers.
- Volunteers in Vaxart’s trials reported common side effects such as headache and fatigue and a “slight uptick” in the high-dose group.
- The company says its vaccine can be more protective against current and emerging coronavirus strains than existing vaccines.
- Vaxart came under scrutiny and federal investigation late last year for allegedly exaggerating its involvement in Operation Warp Speed.
- The company is in talks with the U.S and other governments to find potential opportunities in vaccine developments.
- Vaxart’s vaccine could provide an advantage over needle-based ones, and the company said it is stable at room temperatures.
- Vaxart also says its vaccine does not need special medical training to administer and can be taken at home.
- A phase two study of Vaxart is expected “in the next couple of months”, and the company is determining if the vaccine will be a single or two-dose regimen.
Vaxart stock is currently declining. VXRT: NASDAQ is down 51.86%
