Vascular Biogenics Ltd (VBLT)

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ROTH starts Vascular Biogenics at buy

ROTH Capital Partners has initiated coverage of Vascular Biogenics (NASDAQ:VBLT) with a “buy” rating and a $13 price target. The stock closed at $5.05 on Thursday.

Vascular has two technology platforms targeting oncology and immunology indications. The first platform is Vascular Targeting System (VTS), which is a multi-component gene therapy design targeting vascular endothelial cells. The second platform is comprised of lecinoxoids, which are synthetic oxidized phospholipid small molecules mimicking naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agents in the body.

Analyst Joseph Pantginis writes that using the VTS platform, Vascular has developed VB-111, an anti-angiogenic gene therapy product specifically targeting angiogenic endothelial cells, leading to their apoptosis.
Recent data from a Phase 2 study in recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) showed that combination of VB-111, and standard of care, bevacizumab, achieved a statistically significant higher median overall survival benefit of 414 days, compared with a sequential treatment of VB-111 followed by bevacizumab of 235 days.

The company expects to initiate a Phase 3 study in recurrent GBM under a special protocol assessment in mid-2015. The randomized, placebo-controlled study will compare VB-111 in combination with bevacizumab against bevacizumab alone, with the primary endpoint as overall survival.

http://biotuesdays.com/2015/05/22/roth-starts-vascular-biogenics-at-buy/