INO Stock Soars as FDA Backs Rolling BLA for Rare Lung Disease Drug

Core Insights - Inovio Pharmaceuticals' shares increased by 20.6% following FDA's acceptance of a rolling submission timeline for the biologics license application (BLA) for INO-3107, aimed at treating recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) in adults [1][5] - The company plans to finalize the BLA submission in the coming months and seeks priority review, targeting FDA acceptance by the end of 2025 [1][2] - INO-3107 is designed to elicit a targeted T cell response against HPV-6 and HPV-11, which cause RRP, and has received breakthrough therapy and orphan drug designations in the U.S. [3][5] Company Developments - Inovio's BLA submission is supported by data from a completed phase I/II study that demonstrated the candidate's safety, tolerability, immunogenicity, and efficacy in patients with HPV-related RRP [6] - The FDA has indicated that the completed study could support a BLA filing under the accelerated approval program, negating the need for a pivotal phase III study [6] - A confirmatory study for INO-3107 will be initiated, enrolling 100 patients across the U.S. [7] Industry Context - Precigen, Inc. recently received FDA approval for Papzimeos, a treatment for RRP, which also holds breakthrough therapy and orphan drug designations [8] - Precigen's Papzimeos was approved based on data from a pivotal phase I/II study, which met primary safety and efficacy endpoints, eliminating the need for a confirmatory study [10] - Year-to-date, Inovio's shares have risen by 34.4%, significantly outperforming the industry average growth of 3.2% [4]