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EMERYVILLE, Calif. - Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:DVAX), a biotechnology company with a market capitalization of $1.22 billion and impressive revenue growth of 27% in the last twelve months, announced positive topline results from Part 1 of its Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating Z-1018, its novel shingles vaccine candidate, compared head-to-head with Shingrix in adults aged 50 to 69 years. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company maintains a strong financial position with more cash than debt on its balance sheet, supporting its ongoing research initiatives.
The company reported that Z-1018 demonstrated comparable immunogenicity to Shingrix with a more favorable tolerability profile. At the selected dose formulation, Z-1018 achieved a 100% humoral vaccine response rate compared to 96.9% for Shingrix, and an 89.7% cellular immune response rate versus 93.5% for Shingrix.
Notably, Z-1018 showed lower rates of post-injection reactions. Only 12.5% of participants receiving Z-1018 reported grade 2 or 3 local reactions and 27.5% reported grade 2 or 3 systemic reactions, compared to 52.6% and 63.2% respectively for Shingrix.
"We met our goal for this study, as the results show immune responses comparable to Shingrix, along with a favorable tolerability profile," said Ryan Spencer, Chief Executive Officer of Dynavax, according to the company’s press release. The company’s robust financial health is reflected in its strong liquidity position, with a current ratio of 6.65 and healthy gross margins of 64%. For deeper insights into Dynavax’s financial metrics and growth potential, investors can access comprehensive analysis through InvestingPro, which offers exclusive access to over 10 additional ProTips and detailed financial metrics.
Based on these results, Dynavax has selected the 100 mcg dose of glycoprotein E antigen, adjuvanted with CpG 1018 and alum, using an 8-week dosing interval, to advance to Part 2 of the trial. This next phase will evaluate the vaccine in adults 70 years and older, with initiation expected in the second half of 2025.
Z-1018 combines glycoprotein E with Dynavax’s proprietary CpG 1018 adjuvant system. The vaccine aims to address shingles, a painful condition caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that affects approximately one in three people in their lifetime.
No safety concerns were identified in the ongoing blinded study, which has oversight by a safety monitoring committee, according to the company statement. While InvestingPro data indicates that net income is expected to decline this year, the company’s strong balance sheet and promising clinical results position it well for future growth. Investors seeking detailed analysis of Dynavax’s financial health and growth prospects can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively to InvestingPro subscribers.
In other recent news, Dynavax Technologies Corporation reported its second-quarter 2025 financial results, exceeding analysts’ expectations. The company achieved an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.14, outperforming the forecasted $0.10, representing a 40% surprise. Additionally, Dynavax’s revenue reached $95.44 million, surpassing the anticipated $85.57 million. These results highlight a strong performance for the quarter, despite the company’s stock experiencing a decline in after-hours trading. The financial outcomes reflect positively on Dynavax’s recent efforts. Analysts had projected lower figures, but the company managed to deliver beyond those expectations. Investors may find these developments noteworthy as they assess Dynavax’s financial health and market position.
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