Inovio licenses HPV vaccine to MedImmune

Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NYSE-M:INO) gained $1.70 (26%) to $8.19 on Monday after granting the MedImmune LLC unit of AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) exclusive, worldwide rights to INO-3112, a vaccine targeting human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers.

INO-3112 is in Phase I/II testing to treat cervical cancer and head and neck cancer. MedImmune plans to study INO-3112 in combination with undisclosed immunotherapy candidates in its own pipeline. Next year, MedImmune also intends to begin a Phase II trial of INO-3112 plus chemoradiotherapy to treat locally advanced cervical cancer. ...