Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (INO) is a development-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development of synthetic vaccines for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. This Pennsylvania-based company has several early- and mid-stage candidates in its oncology pipeline including VGX-3100 (cervical dysplasia), INO-5150 (prostate cancer), INO-1400 (breast, lung and pancreatic cancer) and INO-3112 (head/neck, cervical and anogenital cancer) among others.
In Nov 2014, the company terminated its collaboration, option and license agreement with Roche for the co-development of INO-5150. The companies also terminated their research collaboration for the treatment of prostate cancer. Inovio intends to advance the candidate into a phase I study in the first half of 2015. However, Inovio’s collaboration agreement with Roche for the co-development of hepatitis B virus candidate, INO-1800, remains unchanged.
With Inovio not having any approved product in its portfolio, investor focus remains on pipeline updates since a number of pipeline related activities are lined up for the rest of 2015.
Inovio’s track record has been disappointing with the company recording negative earnings surprises in all of the four trailing quarters with an average miss of 19.80%. Estimate revisions are, however, good with analysts narrowing their loss estimates for 2015.
Currently, Inovio has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), but that could definitely change following the company’s earnings report which was just released. We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below:
Earnings: Inovio reported narrower-than-expected loss in the fourth quarter. Our consensus called for a loss of 15 cents per share, and the company reported a loss of 12 cents per share.
Revenues: Revenues, however, missed expectations by a wide margin. Inovio posted revenues of $2.5 million, compared to our consensus estimate of $7 million.
Key Stats: Inovio continues to progress with its pipeline. Currently, the most advanced candidate in the company’s pipeline is VGX-3100. Based on encouraging top-line phase II data, the company intends to complete an end-of-phase-II meeting with the FDA in 2015 and begin dosing patients in a phase III study in early 2016. Meanwhile, Inovio intends to advance INO-1800 into a phase I study in the first half of 2015.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
INOVIO PHARMAC (INO): Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment Research