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Vaxart
For two hundred years vaccines have been administered by intramuscular injection. Vaxart’s oral vaccine pills may change everything. Our vaccine pills act...
Vaxart
For two hundred years vaccines have been administered by intramuscular injection. Vaxart’s oral vaccine pills may change everything. Our vaccine pills act differently, by attacking invading pathogens in the places where they first enter the body: the mucosal areas, including the mouth, the nose and the gut. They are designed to trigger strong IgA and T-cell responses to repel and overwhelm the invading viral invaders. Vaxart has begun Phase II trials of its oral vaccine for Covid and for Norovirus– the only company in the world to reach this stage with a COVID-19 vaccine pill.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
2004
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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