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Vaxart
Vaxart is a clinical-stage biotech advancing an oral pill vaccine platform through mid-stage trials for norovirus, flu, and COVID-19.
Vaxart
Vaxart was founded in 2004 and reincorporated in Delaware in 2007, emerging from early research into oral vaccine delivery. Steven Lo took the CEO role in 2020, succeeding Wouter Latour, M.D., who now serves as Chairman. The company originated with a mission to develop vaccines that are both shelf-stable and deliverable via tablet rather than injection. The firm's pipeline is anchored in its VAAST platform — an oral tablet vaccine technology built around a non-replicating adenovirus type 5 vector. Clinical programs include an oral norovirus vaccine (Phase 2), a bivalent norovirus/GII.4 candidate, and an oral influenza vaccine. Early-stage efforts span COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus, and human papillomavirus. Vaxart licenses its platform from Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, holding worldwide exclusive rights to multiple adenoviral vector constructs. The vaccine generates both mucosal and systemic immunity, targeting immunoglobulin A responses in the gut and respiratory tract. As of late 2025, Vaxart employed approximately 96 people and operated from South San Francisco, California. The company is publicly traded on the Nasdaq under the ticker VXRT. Institutional shareholders have included RA Capital Management and Armistice Capital. In April 2024 the company completed a $60 million underwritten public offering to fund the Phase 2b trial of its oral COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Vaxart operates with a focus on mucosal immunology that separates it from most injectable vaccine developers. Its oral tablet platform aims for room-temperature stability, which could significantly reduce distribution costs. The firm also participates in U.S. government vaccine development programs, including BARDA-supported trials, positioning itself at the intersection of pandemic preparedness and consumer-friendly vaccine delivery.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
2004
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
South San Francisco
Corporate office
South San Francisco, California, United States
Principals
Steven Lo
Chief Executive Officer
Wouter Latour, M.D.
Chairman of the Board
James F. Cummings, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
What differentiates Vaxart's vaccine platform from traditional injectable vaccines?
Vaxart uses a non-replicating adenovirus type 5 vector delivered via enteric-coated tablet. The oral route is designed to stimulate mucosal IgA antibodies at the site of infection, primarily in the gut and respiratory tract. The tablet format also removes the need for syringes, trained healthcare workers for administration, and cold-chain storage, as the vaccines aim to be room-temperature stable.
Which clinical programs are most advanced in Vaxart's pipeline?
The most advanced candidates are the oral norovirus vaccine and the oral influenza vaccine, both of which have completed Phase 2 clinical trials. A bivalent norovirus candidate targeting two genotypes is also in Phase 2. A COVID-19 oral vaccine candidate entered a Phase 2b trial funded in part by a 2024 public offering.
Who are Vaxart's key collaboration partners?
Vaxart licenses foundational adenoviral vector technology from Emory University and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under worldwide exclusive agreements. The company has also participated in U.S. government-funded development programs, including trials backed by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
Is Vaxart a publicly traded company and who are its notable institutional investors?
Yes, Vaxart trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker VXRT. Institutional holders have periodically included dedicated healthcare funds such as RA Capital Management and Armistice Capital, though public filings must be checked for current positions.
How does Vaxart's oral COVID-19 vaccine trial differ from earlier injectable mRNA or vector-based COVID vaccines?
Vaxart's candidate targets mucosal immunity in the upper respiratory tract via oral delivery, aiming to block infection and transmission at the portal of entry. By contrast, the first-generation injectable vaccines primarily induced systemic IgG antibodies. The oral tablet eliminates cold-chain logistics and is intended for self-administration.
What is the governance structure of Vaxart?
Wouter Latour, M.D., currently serves as Chairman of the Board, while Steven Lo holds the CEO position. The company maintains a standard public-company board with independent directors, scientific advisory input, and audit and compensation committees as required under Nasdaq listing rules.
Does Vaxart's technology platform have applications beyond infectious disease vaccines?
Current disclosed programs focus solely on prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases, with internal research on immune modulation. The company has not publicly announced therapeutic cancer vaccine or immunotherapy programs, though its adenoviral vector platform could theoretically be adapted for broader immune-oncology applications.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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