Astra Covid-Shot Data Leaves Some Analysts Questioning It
- Company highlighted results from small group, SVB Leerink
- Astra shares fell in London and New York after analyst note
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Results from a crucial study of AstraZeneca Plc and the University of Oxford’s Covid-19 vaccine drew a harsh review from at least one sell-side analyst as Wall Street grappled with the future of a potentially less effective shot.
The results showed the vaccine stopped an average of 70% of patients from falling sick. However, the company’s formatting of the data that highlighted a 90% effectiveness drew skepticism from SVB Leerink analyst Geoffrey Porges. The analyst said the company highlighted results from a “relatively small” group of volunteers in the trial and wouldn’t get U.S. approval based on a lack of diversity among participants, he wrote in a note.