Covid-19 FDA Approval Drives Sorrento Higher; Roth Slams Inovio Vaccine Candidate

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Investing.com — Attempts to tackle Covid-19 are making stocks whizz up and down. 

Sorrento Therapeutics (NASDAQ:SRNE) jumped more than 21% after the Food and Drug Administration said it can proceed with a clinical trial evaluating a Covid-19 antibody test. Shares are still down 46% from Aug. 10. 

The Phase 1 clinical trial for STI-1499, or COVI-GUARD, in hospitalized Covid-19 patients may proceed with patient enrollment. The initial trial is expected to enroll rapidly and to be followed by large trials targeting a potential Emergency Use Authorization submission as early as before the end of this year. Sorrento has initiated cGMP manufacturing to produce 50,000 doses in anticipation of a potential authorization.  

On the other end of the race to deal with Covid-19, Inovio Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:INO) dropped more than 10% after getting smacked down by Roth Capital. Inovio is working on a Covid-19 vaccine, INO-4800.

The vaccine candidate “has virtually no chance” of winning out among the numerous competitors,” Seeking Alpha reported analyst Jonathan Aschoff as saying. He reaffirmed his sell rating and $11 price target.

Shares had doubled over the past week as the head of company discussed the progress of the vaccine trial. They are currently trading around $16.16.