For some small biotechs , the race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine represented an opportunity to secure funding and establish partnerships that could serve as lifelines long after the pandemic. Two companies who have been eager to take advantage are Inovio Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: INO) and Vaxart (NASDAQ: VXRT) . Despite limited progress and lingering legal issues, shares in both companies are dramatically higher than when the virus emerged just over a year ago. For investors willing to take the risk, there are a few comparisons that can help determine which is the better stock to buy now.
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In June, Vaxart reported encouraging data in early animal studies. Its vaccine candidate, which is administered in the form of an oral tablet, had produced antibodies in mice and reduced weight loss and swollen lungs in infected hamsters. Not much new information was available until the company's vaccine candidate recently passed its safety-focused phase 1 trial without any serious adverse events. Unfortunately for shareholders, the data did not indicate protective antibodies were generated. The stock promptly fell almost 60%.
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Better Coronavirus Stock: Inovio Pharmaceuticals vs. Vaxart