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SAN CARLOS, Calif. - Vaxcyte, Inc. (NASDAQ:PCVX), a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company valued at $8.94 billion, announced positive topline results from a Phase 2 study of its pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate, VAX-24, in healthy infants. According to InvestingPro data, analysts maintain a strong buy consensus on the stock, with price targets ranging from $135 to $163. The vaccine, which targets 24 pneumococcal serotypes, was found to be well-tolerated and to elicit significant immune responses.
The study compared VAX-24 to the currently available Prevnar 20® (PCV20) vaccine. VAX-24 met the non-inferiority criteria for immune response after a three-dose primary immunization series. VAX-24’s mid-dose formulation, containing 2.2 micrograms of antigen, will advance to a potential Phase 3 program, with a decision pending further data from the company’s VAX-31 Phase 2 study, expected in mid-2026. InvestingPro analysis shows the company maintains a strong financial position with a current ratio of 12.75, indicating robust liquidity to support its development pipeline.
No serious adverse events related to the vaccines were reported, and the most common side effects were mild to moderate and resolved within a few days. The vaccine also showed dose-dependent immune responses and no evidence of carrier suppression, which supports the platform’s potential to deliver a broad-spectrum vaccine for infants.
Vaxcyte has also announced the development of VAX-XL, a third-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate, which aims to expand the spectrum of coverage even further.
The VAX-24 infant Phase 2 study enrolled 802 participants and remains ongoing to evaluate longer-term immunogenicity and safety. The full data set, including post-booster dose responses, is expected by the end of 2025.
Vaxcyte’s efforts contribute to the global fight against Streptococcus pneumoniae, a leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths in children under five. The company is committed to addressing the invasive pneumococcal disease burden and improving community immunity.
The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Vaxcyte. For deeper insights into Vaxcyte’s financial health and growth prospects, InvestingPro subscribers can access comprehensive analysis, including detailed Fair Value calculations and 6 additional ProTips that shed light on the company’s financial position and market potential. The Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro provides an in-depth analysis of what matters most for investors considering this emerging biotech player.
In other recent news, Vaxcyte reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, revealing an earnings per share (EPS) of -1.12, which met analyst expectations. However, the company did not provide a revenue forecast for the quarter. Despite maintaining a strong cash position of $3.13 billion, the stock experienced a decline following the earnings announcement, reflecting investor concerns over future profitability and increased expenses anticipated in 2025. Mizuho Securities maintained its Outperform rating for Vaxcyte, with a price target of $163, indicating confidence in the company’s long-term potential. The firm expects that the stock will recover as macro political concerns diminish. Vaxcyte’s promising vaccine pipeline, including VAX31 and VAX24, positions the company well in the competitive pneumococcal vaccine market, which is valued at $8 billion annually. The company’s ongoing investment in research and development and the absence of immediate revenue growth may be contributing to investor caution. As Vaxcyte navigates these challenges, investors will be closely monitoring the company’s progress and developments in the coming quarters.
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