Vaxcyte PCVX is a clinical-stage biotech focused on developing vaccines to prevent or treat bacterial infectious diseases.

In the past month, PCVX's shares have nosedived 56%. This downside came after Vaxcyte reported mixed results from a phase II study on its investigational pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in healthy infants.

Adding to this headwind, the broader biotech/drug sector is feeling the pressure from the resignation of a senior FDA official instrumental in driving biotech innovation, which has raised alarms around the agency’s ability to maintain momentum on innovation and regulatory clarity.

PCVX Stock’s Performance

Vaxcyte’s shares have plummeted more than 62% year to date compared with the industry’s 8% decline, as seen in the chart below. During this timeframe, the stock has also underperformed the broader Medical sector and the S&P 500 Index. The company’s shares are also trading below its 50 and 200-day moving averages.

PCVX Stock Underperforms Industry, Sector & S&P 500

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

More on PCVX’s Pneumococcal Vaccine Study Results

Last week, Vaxcyte reported top-line results from the mid-stage study that evaluated its 24-valent PCV VAX-24 against Pfizer’s PFE Prevnar 20. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for preventing invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) caused by 20 serotypes, all of which are included in the Vaxcyte vaccine, along with four additional ones.

Data from this dose-finding study showed that the mid-dose of VAX-24 met the non-inferiority criteria for seroconversion and showed robust immune responses across all serotypes, particularly for the highest circulating ones. However, the vaccine did not meet the non-inferiority criteria for four of the 24 serotypes compared with Pfizer’s Prevnar 20. This mixed result was a major reason behind the decline in PCVX's share price.

Additionally, VAX-24 was well-tolerated and demonstrated a safety and tolerability profile similar to Pfizer’s Prevnar 20. The mid-dose of VAX-24 also met the target IgG Geometric Mean Ratio and generated strong opsonophagocytic assay responses, which are considered key markers for protection against IPD.

Based on these results, Vaxcyte has selected the mid-dose formulation of VAX-24 for potential advancement into late-stage development. Depending on the top-line results from the ongoing mid-stage study on its investigational 31-valent PCV vaccine VAX-31 in infants, expected in mid-2026, the company plans to start a phase III study in infants with either VAX-24 or VAX-31.

Vaxcyte intends to report full post-dose 4 booster data for VAX-24 by the end of this year.

PCVX’s Zacks Rank

Vaxcyte currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Vaxcyte, Inc.

Vaxcyte, Inc. | Vaxcyte, Inc. Quote

Key Picks Among Biotech Stocks

Some better-ranked stocks from the sector are ANI Pharmaceuticals ANIP and 89bio ETNB. While ANIP currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), ETNB carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

In the past 60 days, estimates for ANI Pharmaceuticals’ 2025 earnings per share (EPS) have risen from $5.54 to $6.35. EPS estimates for 2026 have increased from $6.75 to $7.21 during the same period.

ANI Pharmaceuticals’ earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 17.32%.

Estimates for 89bio’s loss per share have narrowed from $2.51 to $1.98 for 2025 in the past 60 days. During the same time frame, estimates for 2026 loss per share have improved from $2.94 to $2.15.

89bio’s earnings missed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and beat the mark on one occasion, delivering an average negative surprise of 46.18%.

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Pfizer Inc. (PFE) : Free Stock Analysis Report

ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ANIP) : Free Stock Analysis Report

89BIO (ETNB) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Vaxcyte, Inc. (PCVX) : Free Stock Analysis Report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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