Credit: Shutterstock photoOn Mar 15, we issued an updated research report on Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.INO .
Inovio's most advanced candidate, VGX-3100 vaccine, has been progressing well alongside other promising pipeline candidates in its portfolio.
VGX-3100 is currently being evaluated in a phase III study (REVEAL 1) for the treatment of cervical dysplasia caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). The company has also initiated enrollment in the confirmatory phase III (REVEAL 2) study. It plans to submit a biologics license application (BLA), seeking approval for VGX-3100 in 2021. Two more phase II studies are examining the efficacy of VGX-3100 in patients suffering vulvar dysplasia and anal dysplasia.
Last August, Inovio entered into a partnership agreement with the AIDS Malignancy Consortium to evaluate VGX-3100 for treating HPV-associated precancerous conditions in patients, who have tested positive for HIV.
Shares of Inovio have decreased 12% so far this year against the industry's increase of 15.6%.
The company is examining the immuno-oncology combo of INO-5401 plus INO-9012 in two phase I/II studies. One study is investigating INO-5401 + INO-9012 in combination with Regeneron's REGN cemiplimab in patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma while the other is probing the NO-5401 + INO-9012 combo with Roche's RHHBY Tecentriq as a treatment option for advanced or metastatic bladder cancer. Interim data from both studies is expected this year.
Inovio is also conducting an independent phase I program on its DNA immunotherapy, INO-1800. In March 2018, the company announced positive interim results from the study, which demonstrated the potential of INO-1800 as an immunotherapy for this widespread infection (hepatitis B virus) that is a major cause for liver cancer.
Inovio is evaluating its Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) vaccine, INO-4700, in a phase I/IIa study to prevent infection from the deadly virus. The company hopes to announce data from the same in 2019. It also plans to begin a phase II program on MERS vaccine in the Middle East during the second half of 2019.
Last month, Inovio announced initiation of first-ever human study of INO-A002, a DNA-encoded monoclonal antibody (dMAb), as a prevention treatment for Zika virus.
Another early-stage candidate in the company's pipeline is INO-5150, which targets prostate cancer. Currently, Inovio is seeking strategic collaborations in order to sustain the development process of INO-5150.
The company is evaluating MEDI0457 (a combination of VGX-3100 and its DNA-based IL-12 cytokine) in combination with AstraZeneca's AZN PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor, Imfinzi, for the treatment of human papilloma virus (HPV)-caused cervical and head and neck cancers. In August 2015, Inovio out-licensed MEDI0457 to MedImmune, a subsidiary of AstraZeneca. The former now receives milestone and royalty payments from the latter for treating several HPV related cancers.
Inovio has collaboration deals with several big pharma companies, which help it with constant funding for its pipeline development. However, the company has no approved product in its portfolio. Hence, an excessive dependence on its partners for developing its pipeline candidates remains an overhang on the company.
Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price and Consensus
Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price and Consensus | Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Quote
Zacks Rank
Inovio currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here .
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
