Vaxart Inc (VXRT)

[oc631]

The Biota pipeline




U.S. listed Biota issued a press release announcing vapendavir would only advance into Phase-3 testing with a partner. I'm not sure how I'm privy to material information but I was told about this by Aussie management 9 months prior. Vapendavir actually achieved it's clinical Phase-2B endpoint within the HRV indication (common cold) by reducing the duration of cold symptoms in asthmatics. The problem is the compound increased the severity of symptoms in patients on the active drug. Patients in the real world setting won't visit the doctor seeking a medication that makes them feel worse to get better quickly. The chances of large pharma licensing this drug is about zero. Regardless this is the only follow-up compound, to laninamivir, within the BOTA pipeline.


A look at the R&D section of the Biota website tells investors where their money is being spent. Or does it? The preclinical antibiotic program hasn't produced a candidate in a couple years. Yet BOTA used it as an excuse to take a $2.9M charge. Note there's no mention of how many heads will be cut or where. Don't expect it to happen in Georgia.


The RSV program link on the Biota website offers the "Biota solution". Identical to their "Biota [antibiotic] solution". A description of a class of drug without mention of a pre-clinical candidate after years of waiting. The RSV program will be the next bogus charge against earnings the company takes.