$VXRT Money money money : What the old crocs of drug industry won’t like:
These 19 Words From Vaxart Could Mean Trouble for Vaccine Rivals
Vaxart is winning in two crucial areas.
Adria Cimino
Vaxart ( VXRT 8.68% ) surged early in the coronavirus vaccine race. It climbed 2,400% in the first six months of 2020. That's as investors bet it would bring a potentially game-changing candidate to market. But Vaxart's program didn't move as quickly as those of vaccine market leaders Pfizer and Moderna. Vaxart's candidate currently is in a phase 2 study.
Data is expected in the first half of this year. But Vaxart has released reports from some preclinical studies that offer us reason to be optimistic. In fact, 19 words from Vaxart's chief scientific officer may mean big things for the biotech -- and trouble for vaccine rivals.
An investor studies something on a laptop and takes notes in a living room setting.
Image source: Getty Images.
Targeting where infection begins
CSO Sean Tucker's words relate to a non-human primate study involving the vaccine candidate. So first, a bit of information on that study. Vaxart is testing an oral vaccine candidate. It's taken in tablet form. The company said this candidate produced antibody levels in blood serum similar to those of injectable vaccines. But it also produced antibody responses in mucosal sites -- such as the nose. This is key because this is where infection actually begins.
Now here are the words that could make things difficult for rivals:
"These antibodies are only minimally induced in currently authorized vaccines and may be key to protecting against new variants," Tucker said.
Why could antibodies in the mucosa better handle variants? Tucker uses omicron as an example. This variant mainly replicates in the upper respiratory tract. And that means antibodies on site might be more effective than those in the blood.
Tucker also said mucosal response could reduce transmission of the virus. This has been another challenge for vaccine makers. Today's vaccines haven't absolutely proved the ability to cut transmission of the virus from person to person.
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