Grant Pickering, the Chief Executive Officer of Vaxcyte, Inc. (NASDAQ: PCVX), executed a series of transactions involving the sale of company common stock on June 18, 2026. The aggregate proceeds from these sales amounted to approximately $1.28 million. The shares were divested at prices ranging between $52.50 and $52.51 per share. This insider activity coincides with the stock trading near its InvestingPro Fair Value estimate of $52.24. Over the trailing twelve-month period, Vaxcyte shares have delivered a 54% return to investors.
A total of 24,461 shares were sold on the reported date. The disposition of these shares was split between direct and indirect transfers. Mr. Pickering personally sold 22,461 shares. The remaining 2,000 shares were sold indirectly through trusts established for the benefit of his children. Specifically, 1,000 shares were sold from a trust designated for his son, and another 1,000 shares were sold from a trust designated for his daughter. All sales were conducted under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan that was adopted on March 3, 2026.
On the same date, Mr. Pickering also acquired 225 shares of Vaxcyte common stock. These shares were obtained by exercising stock options at a price of $1.79 per share, resulting in a total transaction value of $402. The options exercised were fully vested and exercisable at the time of the transaction.
In operational developments, Vaxcyte has completed enrollment in two Phase 3 clinical trials for its 31-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate, VAX-31. The OPUS-1 trial has enrolled approximately 4,000 participants, while the OPUS-2 trial has enrolled approximately 1,300 participants. These studies are designed to support a future Biologics License Application submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, Vaxcyte announced that the first participant has been dosed in its Phase 1 study for VAX-A1, a vaccine candidate aimed at preventing Group A Streptococcus infections. Topline data from this Phase 1 study is anticipated in the latter half of 2027.
Separately, Vera Therapeutics has appointed Jane Wright-Mitchell as its Chief Legal Officer. Wright-Mitchell previously served as a strategic legal consultant for the company. Her appointment comes as Vera Therapeutics nears the potential launch of atacicept, a dual BAFF/APRIL inhibitor for patients with IgA nephropathy.