Second time also unlucky for Astellas and Vical's herpes vaccine

California’s Vical (Nasdaq: VICL) says its Phase III HELIOS trial of DNA vaccine ASP0113 has flopped. Shares are down almost a quarter ahead of the opening bell in New York.

The vaccine, which has been designated an orphan drug in the USA and in the European Union, is being developed as a vaccine against the herpes-causing cytomegalovirus, as part of an up to-$130 million 2011 collaboration with Astellas (TYO: 4503).

Bernhardt Zeiher, president of development at Astellas, said he was “disappointed that the results did not demonstrate a significant improvement in overall survival and reduction in CMV end-organ disease.”