TÜBINGEN, GERMANY and BOSTON, MA - CureVac N.V. (NASDAQ:CVAC), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in mRNA technology, has released interim Phase 2 data from its seasonal influenza vaccine study, indicating positive antibody responses across various age groups and dosage levels. The vaccine candidate, developed in collaboration with GSK, targets all four World Health Organization-recommended flu strains.
The study's interim analysis revealed that the vaccine candidate, which utilizes CureVac's second-generation mRNA backbone, successfully increased antibody titers against all encoded flu strains in both younger and older adults. Safety profiles were deemed acceptable, with most adverse events reported as mild or moderate.
For influenza A strains, the geometric mean titers in vaccinated individuals surpassed those induced by licensed comparator vaccines across all dose levels and age groups. However, the titers for influenza B strains were lower, aligning with expectations based on other initial mRNA-based flu vaccine development efforts. CureVac plans further optimizations to enhance responses against influenza B strains in a subsequent Phase 2 study.
Dr. Myriam Mendila, Chief Development Officer of CureVac, expressed confidence in the mRNA platform's potential, particularly with the strong results against influenza A strains. The company anticipates that the planned improvements will bolster performance against the more challenging B strains.
The ongoing dose-confirmation study evaluates the reactogenicity, safety, and immunogenicity of the multivalent vaccine in 480 healthy younger adults (aged 18 to 64) and 480 healthy older adults (aged 65 to 85). Each group received one of three different dose levels, compared to an age-appropriate licensed comparator vaccine.
CureVac, with over two decades of experience in mRNA technology, has a broad clinical pipeline that includes vaccines, cancer therapies, antibody therapies, and treatments for rare diseases. The company's collaboration with GSK extends to developing second-generation COVID-19 vaccine candidates and modified mRNA vaccine technologies.
This update is based on a press release statement from CureVac.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of the recent interim Phase 2 data from CureVac's seasonal influenza vaccine study, investors are closely monitoring the biopharmaceutical company's financial health and market performance. According to InvestingPro, CureVac (NASDAQ:CVAC) holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which can be a reassuring sign of financial stability, especially for a company in the capital-intensive biotech sector. Additionally, two analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, suggesting a potential improvement in the company's financial outlook. However, analysts also anticipate a sales decline in the current year and do not expect the company to be profitable this year.
InvestingPro Data further reveals that CureVac has a market capitalization of 651.62 million USD and is trading near its 52-week low, with a price at the previous close of 2.88 USD. The company's stock price movements have been quite volatile, with a six-month price total return of -52.99%. These metrics may indicate a cautious approach for investors considering the company's stock, given the challenges in profitability and sales growth.
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