Vaccitech, startup behind AstraZeneca-Oxford's Covid vaccine, files for U.S. IPO

KEY POINTS

• Vaccitech plans to list the American depositary shares on the Nasdaq under the symbol "VACC."
• 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.

A person receives a dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus disease vaccine at the Cacovid isolation centre, Mainland, Infectious disease hospital, Yaba, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Majority World | Universal Images Group | Getty Images

Biotech startup Vaccitech, which owns the technology behind the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, 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 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.