Biggest one-day decline in company’s history, now on track for record low below $2

  • HilleVax’s stock drops 87% after abandoning norovirus vaccine for infants due to failed trial
  • Phase 2b trial of HIL-214 showed only 5% efficacy in infants
  • Company will explore the vaccine as a treatment for adults and continue development of HIL-216 product candidate for adults

HilleVax Inc.’s stock plummeted by 87% following the announcement of discontinuing its norovirus vaccine development for infants after a failed Phase 2b trial. The vaccine candidate HIL-214 showed only 5% efficacy in infants and did not meet primary or secondary endpoints. Despite this setback, the company will continue to explore the vaccine as a treatment for adults and develop its HIL-216 product candidate for adult use. Norovirus causes 700 million cases of gastroenteritis annually, resulting in $4 billion in healthcare costs.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about HilleVax Inc.’s stock performance and the results of their Phase 2b trial for a norovirus vaccine in infants. It also mentions the company’s plans to continue exploring the vaccine for adults and another product candidate. The information is relevant, concise, and based on the company’s statement.
Noise Level: 2
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about a company’s stock performance and the results of a clinical trial for a vaccine candidate, but it could benefit from more in-depth analysis or context on the implications of the trial’s failure and the broader impact on the field of norovirus research.
Public Companies: HilleVax Inc. (HLVX)
Key People: Rob Hershberg (Chief Executive)


Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: HilleVax Inc.’s stock
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the significant drop in HilleVax Inc.’s stock price due to the discontinuation of a vaccine development project, which impacts the company’s financial performance and market value.
Presence Of Extreme Event: a
Nature Of Extreme Event: Financial Crash or Crisis
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Severe
Extreme Rating Justification: The extreme event is the 87% stock crash of HilleVax Inc. due to the failure of its vaccine trial for infants, resulting in a significant loss of value and impacting the company’s market position.

Reported publicly: www.marketwatch.com