HilleVax Discontinues Norovirus Vaccine for Infants After Mid-Stage Trial Failure

1. HilleVax's Stock Plummets: The biopharmaceutical company's stock dropped by 87.6% to $160 after the disappointing results of the mid-stage trial for its norovirus vaccine, HIL-214, for infants.
2. Mid-Stage Trial Failure: The Phase 2b trial involving over 2,800 infants showed an efficacy rate of only 5%, failing to meet the primary endpoint of preventing moderate or severe acute gastroenteritis events due to norovirus.
3. Discontinuation of HIL-214 for Infants: HilleVax has decided to discontinue the development of HIL-214 for infants, citing the trial's failure to demonstrate clinical benefits.
4. Future Plans: The company will continue to explore the vaccine's potential for adults and will also assess its other compound, HIL-216, for the adult population.
5. Norovirus Impact: Norovirus is a significant cause of foodborne illnesses, resulting in approximately 700 million cases of moderate or severe acute gastroenteritis globally each year, with significant health system costs and mortality rates.