[Kim Jinsoo, Edaily Reporter] In the biopharmaceutical sector on Friday, Cellid’s stock surged on expectations for its vaccine clinical trial results, but the shares plunged by the daily limit in after-hours trading following news of a Phase 3 trial failure. A further decline is expected on the next trading day.

Shaperon also saw a significant drop for two consecutive trading days following its own clinical trial failure, though the company hopes for a turnaround by unveiling strategies to continue its trials.

Meanwhile, Rokit Healthcare’s shares rose on news of smooth research and development progress, the completion of its integrated AI medical platform for prediction, prevention, and regeneration, and the imminent Nasdaq listing of its subsidiary.

Cellid Faces Inevitable Drop Following Phase 3 COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Results

According to KG Zeroin’s MP DOCTOR (formerly MarketPoint), Cellid shares closed Friday at 2,785 won, up 14.61% from the previous day, driven by anticipation of the Phase 3 clinical trial results for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, AdCLD-CoV19-1 OMI.

However, after the market closed, Cellid disclosed that it failed to secure meaningful data in the Phase 3 trial, causing its stock to drop 9.87% to 2,510 won in after-hours trading compared to the regular session’s closing price.

Cellid announced Friday that its global Phase 3 trial for the COVID-19 preventive vaccine AdCLD-CoV19-1 OMI failed to demonstrate non-inferiority in the primary immunogenicity endpoint.

The trial was conducted to prove non-inferiority in immunogenicity by administering either AdCLD-CoV19-1 OMI or Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty. The study involved 4,000 adults aged 19 and older.

The primary endpoint was the evaluation of immunogenicity based on confirmed neutralizing antibody titers and seroresponse rates. The seroresponse rate (SRR)—the proportion of participants with a fourfold or greater increase in neutralizing antibody titers from baseline—was 17.12% (139 out of 812 participants) in the investigational group and 42.64% (171 out of 401 participants) in the control group. The difference between the two groups was negative 25.51 percentage points. Since this did not exceed the non-inferiority margin of negative 10% set in the trial protocol, the investigational vaccine failed to demonstrate non-inferiority compared to the control group.

In terms of safety, however, no serious adverse drug reactions were reported following the administration of AdCLD-CoV19-1 OMI, confirming the predicted safety profile.

AdCLD-CoV19-1 OMI garnered attention as a vaccine developed entirely in Korea, combining a proprietary adenovirus vector platform with antigen platform technology. Nonetheless, this clinical failure is expected to deal a significant blow.

“Based on the confirmed safety results, we plan to continue developing the COVID-19 preventive vaccine and are reviewing additional clinical trial designs and strategies from various angles to address the immunogenicity findings,” Cellid stated.

Shaperon Plummets for Two Consecutive Days Following Trial Failure

Shaperon shares plummeted 25.16% from the previous day to close at 568 won on Friday. The stock had also hit the daily lower price limit during the previous trading session. The decline is attributed to the failure to meet the primary endpoint in the Phase 2 clinical trial for its atopic dermatitis treatment candidate.

On Wednesday, Shaperon announced that it had failed to meet the primary endpoint in the global Phase 2b trial of its atopic dermatitis treatment, NuGel.

NuGel is a non-steroidal topical treatment for atopic dermatitis developed on Shaperon’s GPCR19-based inflammasome regulation platform. The Phase 2 trial targeted patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, with the primary endpoint defined as the degree of improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) at eight weeks compared to a placebo group.

According to the trial results, the difference in the primary endpoint between the NuGel-treated group and the placebo group did not meet the pre-set statistical significance level (two-sided 0.025).

Consequently, Shaperon plans to conduct further analysis with its contract research organization (CRO) through September and establish future development strategies in consultation with regulatory agencies and external experts.

“During the Phase 2b trial, we provided patients with moisturizers for unrestricted use, which may have diluted the difference in efficacy,” a Shaperon representative said. “We are also considering the launch of a quasi-registrational study to explore future approval strategies and the possibility of advancing to Phase 3 trials.”

Rokit Healthcare Stock Rises on Positive Expectations

Rokit Healthcare shares closed at 44,500 won on Friday, up 11.25% from the previous day. The rise is seen as reflecting expectations for upcoming positive catalysts.

SK Securities analyst Lee Sun-kyung predicted on Friday that Rokit Healthcare will maintain its momentum, driven by kidney regeneration clinical trials in the second half of the year and a formal contract with U.S.-based Northwell Health. Lee forecast that revenue growth will begin in earnest next year.

Lee noted that Rokit Healthcare recently announced the results of a four-year long-term follow-up trial for cartilage regeneration and a three-year long-term follow-up trial for skin regeneration conducted in Egypt.

The company also received approval for the world’s first human clinical study on kidney regeneration, demonstrating its technological prowess and potential for expanding its indications. Furthermore, following a mutual non-disclosure agreement (MCA) signed with Northwell Health in February, negotiations are underway with the goal of finalizing a formal contract in the second half of the year, which is expected to sustain the company’s momentum.

However, the strain on profitability caused by increased research and development investments is expected to continue this year. “Although the company turned a profit last year, it recorded an operating loss of 2.35 billion won in the first quarter of this year due to increased R&D expenses. Given the multiple ongoing clinical trials, the rise in R&D costs is expected to continue for the time being,” Lee added.

Additionally, it was reported that Rokit Healthcare’s subsidiary, Rokit America, has completed the procedures related to its Form S-1 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and has entered the final stage of its Nasdaq listing.

Rokit America’s estimated market capitalization upon listing is approximately 400 billion won. The company is currently conducting book-building for foreign institutional investors and plans to proceed with the public offering allocation, price confirmation, and the commencement of stock trading.

“Rokit America’s Nasdaq listing marks the first among subsidiaries of South Korean KOSDAQ-listed biotech companies.”

A Rokit Healthcare representative said, “Based on the capital and global credibility secured through the Nasdaq Global Market listing, we aim to preempt the North American market and commercialize our technology in a timely manner, becoming a ‘first mover’ leading the global organ regeneration medical market.”