(Reuters) – Biotech startup Vaccitech Plc, which owns the technology behind the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca Plc, filed for a U.S. initial public offering on Friday.
The British company plans to list the American depositary shares on the Nasdaq under the symbol “VACC”.
Vaccitech’s revenue dropped about 30% to $4.8 million in the year ended Dec. 31, even as its net loss narrowed to $17.9 million from $22.7 million due to lower research and development expenses.
The company noted in a filing https://bit.ly/3t5lRs5 that based on its understanding, it would not be entitled to receive any royalties or payments from sub-licensees from the commercialization of the AstraZeneca vaccine until after the pandemic is over.
Vaccitech’s preference for a U.S. listing to one in the UK could further undermine London’s attempts to become a major financial hub, particularly after Brexit.
The company is co-founded by Sarah Gilbert, professor of vaccinology at Oxford University, who led AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine development efforts.
Morgan Stanley, Jefferies and Barclays are among the offering’s underwriters.
(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Bengaluru; Editing by Vinay Dwivedi)
