Core Insights - Vaxart, Inc. has initiated dosing in a Phase 2b clinical trial for its oral COVID-19 vaccine candidate, involving 10,000 participants, marking a significant advancement in its development process [1][2] - The trial is designed as a double-blind, multi-center, randomized, comparator-controlled study to assess the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of Vaxart's oral vaccine compared to an approved mRNA vaccine in previously vaccinated adults [2][3] - The trial follows a positive review of safety data from an initial cohort of 400 participants, with the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board recommending the study proceed without modifications [3] Funding and Support - Vaxart's project has received funding under Project NextGen, a U.S. government initiative aimed at accelerating the development of innovative COVID-19 vaccines, with a project award valued at up to $460.7 million [4] Company Overview - Vaxart is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing oral recombinant vaccines using a proprietary delivery platform, which allows for storage and shipping without refrigeration [5] - The company is working on various oral vaccines targeting diseases such as coronavirus, norovirus, and influenza, as well as a therapeutic vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV) [5]