Shares of GeoVax Labs and Tonix Pharmaceuticals led the gains. Both the companies, which have a combined market capitalization of less than $50 million, do not have any products on the market.
GeoVax’s shares rose 47.9% to $10.44, while Tonix jumped 41% to 63 cents.
Emergent BioSolutions’ shares rose 5.4% to $11.32 premarket. Its vaccine, approved for smallpox, has been used as an mpox shot, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is yet to approve its application for use against the virus.
A new variant of mpox has spread rapidly in Africa, prompting the World Health Organization to declare mpox a global public health emergency last Wednesday. Europe’s disease prevention agency said on Friday more imported cases will appear in the region, a day after Sweden reported its first case of mpox linked to the new strain. Danish-listed shares of Bavarian Nordic, which makes an mpox vaccine, were down 4.1% at 271.80 Danish crowns ($40.22). They had jumped 20% on Friday, and rose 50% last week on growing concerns over the virus. Siga Technologies’ shares were up 1.3%. The stock fell nearly 20% on Thursday after the company’s mpox drug failed to meet the main goal in a study.
($1 = 6.7584 Danish crowns)
Rohit Malhotra is a medical expert and health journalist who offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being. His articles aim to help readers lead healthier lives.