Inovio Analyst Watches Coronavirus Play 'From The Sidelines'

Coronavirus vaccine play Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: INO) is not an outright buy at this point in time, according to an analyst at Piper Sandler.

The Inovio Analyst

Christopher Raymond maintained a Neutral rating on Inovio shares with an $8 price target. 

The Inovio Thesis

The 12-month overall survival data Inovio presented for its DNA cancer vaccine INO-5401 in glioblastoma multiforme — a deadly form of brain cancer — at the ASCO made the benefit less clear, Raymond said in a Monday note. (See his track record here.) 

The vaccine is being studied in a Phase 2 single-arm study in newly diagnosed GBM patients following gross total resection and in combo with radiotherapy, temozolomide and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc's (NASDAQ: REGN) Libtayo, he said. 

"While the data have demonstrated that a subset of patients had a T cell response to treatment, there is still uncertainty over INO-5401's individual therapeutic benefit." 

Longer-term and randomized data for the vaccine would help Piper Sandler feel more confident in the program, Raymond said.

An overall survival update due later this year is a key catalyst for the program, the analyst said. Given the uncertainty, he said INO-5401 remains an unmodeled opportunity at this point.

Piper Sandler sees several upcoming catalysts for Inovio, including first-in-human data from INO-4800 due later this month and an update on potential funding for the program to support further development.

"However, given the ongoing volatility surrounding this name over COVID-19 efforts, we prefer to watch this story play out from the sidelines," Raymond said. 

INO Price Action

At last check, Inovio shares were down 5.85% at $13.99. 

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