Lab Study Shows Inovio's COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Weaker Against Omicron Variant - Inovio Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:INO)

Tucked in the Q4 earnings release, Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:INO) has paused enrollment for an ongoing INNOVATE Phase 3 trial of its lead COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.

Tucked in the Q4 earnings release, Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:INO) has paused enrollment for an ongoing INNOVATE Phase 3 trial of its lead COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

The decision follows as the shot showed significantly lower antibody levels against the omicron variant in lab testing.
The vaccine, INO-4800, maintained a robust T-cell response in the lab tests, leading Inovio to plan changes to the trial design.
T-cells are a vital part of the immune system's second line of defense.
The Company plans to seek regulatory approval to change the study's main goal to "prevention of severe disease due to COVID-19" from the earlier goal of "prevention of virologically confirmed COVID-19 disease."
An independent data safety monitoring board recommended that Inovio pause enrollment to reflect Omicron's potential impact on the trial.
As a result, interim efficacy data from the trial will not be available in 1H of 2022 as previously expected.
In November, Inovio resumed the late-stage trial of its vaccine in the U.S. after 14 months on clinical hold.
The FDA in September 2020 put the study on hold as it sought more information, including details on a delivery device used to inject genetic material into cells.
Inovio held $401.3 million in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments at the end of 2021.
Price Action: INO shares are down 11.8% at $2.86 during the market session on the last check Wednesday.

INOInovio Pharmaceuticals Inc

$1.72-0.58%

Overview

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.