New Expert Consensus Published in The Laryngoscope Recommends PAPZIMEOS (zopapogene imadenovec) as the New Standard of Care First-Line Treatment for Adults with Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis
Rhea-AI Summary
Precigen (Nasdaq: PGEN) announced publication of an independent expert consensus paper in The Laryngoscope (Jan 20, 2026) recommending PAPZIMEOS (zopapogene imadenovec) as the new standard of care first-line treatment for adults with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP).
The consensus, authored by 16 RRP specialists and sponsored by the Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Foundation, prioritizes HPV-specific immunotherapy over repeated surgery, cites demonstrated safety and long-term durability in responders, and promotes early therapy, shared decision-making, and multidisciplinary care. The full position statement is available online in The Laryngoscope.
Positive
- Expert consensus of 16 physicians recommends PAPZIMEOS as first-line therapy
- PAPZIMEOS positioned as the first FDA-approved HPV-specific immunotherapy for RRP
- Consensus shifts care from repeated surgery to therapy addressing the underlying HPV infection
- Publication in a peer-reviewed journal (The Laryngoscope) increases clinical visibility
Negative
- Recommendation is based on an expert consensus and literature review rather than a new randomized trial
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, PGEN declined 0.45%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
PGEN is up 6.52% while key biotech peers show mixed moves: ZYME -1.63%, GPCR -1.32%, RCUS -1.40%, NTLA +5.22%, TRML 0%, pointing to a stock-specific reaction.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 12 | Commercial update | Positive | -9.9% | Reported rapid commercialization and growing PAPZIMEOS adoption post-FDA approval. |
| Jan 05 | Conference appearance | Neutral | -2.3% | Announced CEO presentation and fireside chat at J.P. Morgan conference. |
| Nov 13 | Earnings & updates | Positive | -4.0% | Q3 results and durable PAPZIMEOS efficacy and cash/credit facility update. |
| Nov 06 | Earnings date set | Neutral | -0.5% | Scheduled Q3 2025 results release and business update call. |
| Oct 13 | Clinical follow-up | Positive | +2.9% | Reported long-term durable responses and reduced surgeries with PAPZIMEOS. |
Recent history shows a tendency for negative or muted reactions to otherwise positive PAPZIMEOS milestones, with several commercialization and clinical wins followed by share price declines.
Over the past few months, Precigen has focused on commercializing PAPZIMEOS after full FDA approval in August 2025. Long-term follow-up data showed durable complete responses, and Q3 2025 results highlighted a transition to launch with cash of $123.6M and a new $100M term loan. Despite positive commercialization updates and increasing patient hub enrollment, prior news on PAPZIMEOS often saw short-term share price weakness. Today’s expert consensus designating PAPZIMEOS as first-line standard of care fits this ongoing narrative of strengthening clinical and commercial positioning in RRP.
Regulatory & Risk Context
An effective Form S-3 shelf filed on Aug 19, 2025 registers secondary sales of up to 143,809,489 common and 79,000 preferred shares by selling stockholders, with the company receiving no proceeds. This structure enables existing holders to sell via various methods without directly raising capital for Precigen.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement reinforces PAPZIMEOS as a central asset, with 16 experts recommending it as first-line standard of care for adults with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. It builds on prior milestones such as full FDA approval in August 2025 and durable response data. Investors may monitor how this consensus influences real-world adoption trends, reimbursement durability, and future financial results, alongside any secondary selling activity from holders registered under the existing Form S-3.
Key Terms
recurrent respiratory papillomatosis medical
hpv-specific immunotherapy medical
standard of care medical
iatrogenic injury medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- Independent, expert-led consensus paper, sponsored by the Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Foundation, reflects the recommendation of 16 leading physicians in the field of RRP
- Consensus paper recommends PAPZIMEOS as the new standard of care first-line treatment for adults with RRP
For more than a century, patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis have had no approved therapeutic option beyond repeated surgery, an approach that does not address the underlying cause of the disease. This independent, expert-authored consensus paper represents a landmark moment for the RRP community, formalizing a shift away from surgery toward a new standard of care that treats the underlying HPV infection. The recommendations position HPV-specific immunotherapy, PAPZIMEOS, as the preferred first-line treatment for adults with RRP and are grounded in the collective clinical experience of the authors, a comprehensive review of the published literature, and the availability of PAPZIMEOS, the first and only FDA-approved HPV-specific immunotherapy.
"The speed and agility with which the authors evaluated the evidence and aligned on a recommended first-line treatment and new standard of care for adults with RRP underscores both the unmet need in this disease and the importance of providing patients and physicians with clear, evidence-based guidance following the FDA approval of PAPZIMEOS," said Helen Sabzevari, PhD, President and CEO of Precigen.
"For physicians, this publication provides critical clarity by establishing a treatment algorithm for RRP that prioritizes early therapy and moves beyond repeated surgical intervention and the cumulative risk of iatrogenic injury," said Gaetano Bonifacio, MD, Head of Medical Affairs at Precigen. "Importantly, the recommendations reflect the demonstrated safety and efficacy of PAPZIMEOS, including the long-term durability observed in responders, offering patients the potential for lasting disease control. The paper outlines a clear management approach for adults with RRP, recommending HPV-specific immunotherapy, PAPZIMEOS, as the preferred first-line treatment."
The authors emphasize shared decision-making, early consideration of therapy to avoid the risks associated with repeat surgeries, and a multidisciplinary approach to care. The paper serves as a reference for clinicians caring for RRP as well as an information guide for patients.
"For a disease that has been managed for more than a century without a clearly defined standard of care, this is an exciting and meaningful moment," said Simon R. Best, MD, Associate Professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "For the first time, there is a clear, evidence-based guideline that defines both the standard of care and first-line therapy for adults with RRP, reflecting broad agreement among leading experts across
The consensus paper was developed with direct input from RRPF leadership, including patients and caregivers, and reflects a shared commitment to advancing patient-centered care in RRP. The authors note that the availability of an FDA-approved HPV-specific immunotherapy, PAPZIMEOS, makes it possible for the first time to establish a modern management algorithm focused on durable disease control rather than repeated surgical interventions to relieve symptoms.
The full consensus paper, "Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Foundation Position Statement on the Management of Adults with RRP," is now available online via The Laryngoscope.
About RRP
RRP is a rare, debilitating, and potentially life-threatening disease of the upper and lower respiratory tract caused by chronic HPV 6 or HPV 11 infection. RRP can lead to severe voice disturbance, compromised airways, and recurrent post-obstructive pneumonia. Although rare, RRP has the potential for transformation to malignant cancer and can be fatal. Management of RRP has primarily consisted of repeated surgeries, which do not address the underlying cause of the disease and can be associated with significant morbidity as well as significant patient and health system burden. As the number of lifetime surgeries increases, the risk for irreversible iatrogenic laryngeal injury increases with each surgery, and patients may undergo hundreds of these surgeries over their lifetimes. RRP can impact patients' work and social lives, financial stability, and mental health. Patients with RRP can experience substantial impacts to daily living with decreased quality of life and high health care utilization. Based on an internal analysis of claims data and electronic health records, there are approximately 27,000 adult RRP patients in the US.
About PAPZIMEOS (zopapogene imadenovec-drba), for subcutaneous injection only
PAPZIMEOS is the first and only FDA-approved therapy for the treatment of adults with RRP and the first and only approved therapy to address the root cause of RRP. PAPZIMEOS is a non-replicating adenoviral vector-based immunotherapy designed to express a fusion antigen comprising selected regions of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11 proteins. PAPZIMEOS is designed to generate an immune response directed against HPV 6 and HPV 11 proteins in patients with RRP. Discovered and designed in Precigen's labs using Precigen's proprietary AdenoVerse therapeutic platform, PAPZIMEOS represents a new therapeutic paradigm for RRP.
Indication and Important Safety Information
What is PAPZIMEOS?
PAPZIMEOS is a type of immunotherapy used to treat a condition called recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) in adults.
What is the most important information I should know about PAPZIMEOS?
Some people may have a reaction to the shot. Signs and symptoms may include redness, pain, swelling, itching, or warmth where the shot was given. After your first treatment, your healthcare provider will watch you for at least 30 minutes to make sure you're feeling okay.
Please contact your doctor immediately if you develop an infection, the reaction to your shot worsens, or you experience any of the below symptoms, which may indicate a systemic allergic reaction:
- Difficulty breathing
- Widespread rash
- Facial swelling
Thrombotic events (blood clots that block your blood vessels) may occur after your PAPZIMEOS shot. Please notify your doctor immediately if you have the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Leg swelling
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Severe or persistent headaches
- Blurred vision
What should I know before taking PAPZIMEOS?
Before taking PAPZIMEOS, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including:
- If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant because it is not known if PAPZIMEOS will harm the unborn baby.
- If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is unknown if PAPZIMEOS is present in breast milk, or how it affects the breastfeeding child or milk production. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with PAPZIMEOS.
What are the most common side effects of PAPZIMEOS?
The most common side effects include:
- Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
- Feeling tired
- Chills
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Headache
- Increased heart rate
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Sweating a lot
These are not all of the possible side effects of PAPZIMEOS. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Precigen, Inc. at 1-855-PGE-NRRP (1-855-743-6777).
Please see full Prescribing Information.
Precigen: Advancing Medicine with Precision®
Precigen (Nasdaq: PGEN) is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in the advancement of innovative precision medicines to address difficult-to-treat diseases with high unmet patient need. Precigen is dedicated to advancing scientific breakthroughs from proof-of-concept through commercialization. With a strong commitment to innovation, Precigen is developing a robust pipeline of differentiated therapies across its core therapeutic areas of immuno-oncology, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. For more information about Precigen, visit www.precigen.com or follow us on LinkedIn or YouTube.
Trademarks
Precigen, PAPZIMEOS, AdenoVerse, and Advancing Medicine with Precision are trademarks of Precigen and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what the Company expects. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, information relating to the Company's business and business plans, the success of efforts to commercialize PAPZIMEOS™ (zopapogene imadenovec-drba) for the treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) in adults, the Company's ability to successfully obtain foreign regulatory approvals for PAPZIMEOS, expectations about the safety and efficacy of PAPZIMEOS, the ability of PAPZIMEOS to treat RRP, the Company's future financial and operational results, and the Company's ability to commence clinical studies or complete ongoing clinical studies for the Company's clinical and pre-clinical stage candidates. The Company has no obligation to provide any updates to these forward-looking statements even if its expectations change. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. For further information on potential risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause the Company's actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investor Contact:
Steven M. Harasym
Tel: +1 (202) 365-2563
investors@precigen.com
Media Contact:
Donelle M. Gregory
press@precigen.com
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SOURCE Precigen, Inc.
FAQ
What did the Jan 20, 2026 consensus say about PAPZIMEOS and RRP (PGEN)?
How does the consensus change treatment for adults with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis?
What evidence did the 16 authors cite to recommend PAPZIMEOS (PGEN)?
Does the consensus address safety and durability of PAPZIMEOS for adults with RRP?
Where can clinicians and patients read the full RRPF position statement on PAPZIMEOS?
