Inovio says Covid vaccine produces antibodies in animals

(Sharecast News) - Shares of Inovio Pharmaceuticals surged on Wednesday as it said a preclinical study of its experimental Covid-19 vaccine - IN0-4800 - produced antibodies in animals.
INO-4800 targets the major surface antigen Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes the coronavirus. Inovio said the studies demonstrated that vaccination with INO-4800 generated "robust binding and neutralising antibody as well as T cell responses" in mice and guinea pigs.

Dr. Kate Broderick, Inovio's senior vice president of Research & Development, said: "These positive preclinical results from our Covid-19 DNA vaccine (INO-4800) not only highlight the potency of our DNA medicines platform, but also build on our previously reported positive Phase 1/2a data from our vaccine against the coronavirus that causes MERS, which demonstrated near-100% seroconversion and neutralisation from a similarly designed vaccine INO-4700.

"The potent neutralising antibody and T cell immune responses generated in multiple animal models are supportive of our currently on-going INO-4800 clinical trials."

Inovio said preliminary safety and immune responses data from a Phase 1 clinical trial are expected in June.

At 1300 BST, the shares were up 22% in pre-market trade at $17.72.