NewLink shares plunge as cancer vaccine passes another interim analysis

NewLink Genetics ($NLNK) rattled investors after the markets closed on Monday, saying it will need to cruise past its second planned interim analysis for a late-stage cancer vaccine without any change to the trial. No news is bad news as far as the market is concerned. Without the data to call out a win at this stage, the odds went up that the cancer vaccine would join a long list of failed attempts to spur an effective immune response to fight cancer. The Phase III IMPRESS trial for algenpantucel-L--NewLink's lead program--recruited more than 700 patients. And while Ames, IA-based NewLink execs found plenty of reason for optimism, voicing plans to prep for a new drug application, the market didn't share their enthusiasm. NewLink stock plunged 20% in overnight trading as a bad case of the jitters sparked an exodus. Release