HHS mRNA vaccine decision bodes well for GeoVax Labs, says Roth Capital

Roth Capital notes that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services terminated almost $500M in BARDA-funded mRNA vaccine development contracts due to underwhelming vaccine performance. By contrast, GeoVax Labs (GOVX)’ vaccine platform is based upon the well-validated MVA viral vector and a multi-antigen approach, Roth points out. The firm believes that the HHS decision bodes well for GeoVax, which is currently in Phase 2 with its GEO-CM04S1 COVID-19 vaccine. GEO-MVA will most likely be able to be filed for approval – at least in the EU – after one Phase 3 immuno-bridging trial, which should start in the second half of 2026. Roth has a Buy rating on the shares with a price target of $14.