Hookipa Pharma Stock Price, News & Analysis
Company Description
HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. (symbol: HOOK) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing next generation immunotherapeutics based on its proprietary arenavirus platform. According to the company’s public disclosures, its product candidates are designed to induce specific, robust and durable CD8+ T cells and antibodies with the goal of eliminating cancers and serious infectious diseases. HOOKIPA has described itself as concentrating on therapies for oncology and for viral infections that represent major global health challenges.
In its published "About HOOKIPA" information, the company states that its pipeline includes biological therapies for oncology, targeting human papillomavirus type 16-positive (HPV16+) cancers, KRAS mutated cancers, and other targets. In addition, HOOKIPA has entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. to develop therapies that are intended to provide functional cures for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). Within this collaboration, HOOKIPA has been responsible for advancing specific programs through early-stage clinical development.
HOOKIPA’s arenavirus-based approach is presented in its communications as a platform for next generation immunotherapeutics. The company has highlighted product candidates such as HB-400, in clinical development for the treatment of hepatitis B virus, and HB-500, described as a next-generation therapeutic vaccine being evaluated as a potential component of a curative regimen for human immunodeficiency virus. Under the collaboration agreement with Gilead, HOOKIPA has been responsible for advancing the HIV program through completion of a Phase 1b clinical trial before Gilead has the exclusive right to assume further development.
Beyond infectious disease programs, HOOKIPA’s oncology pipeline, as described in its news releases, includes candidates directed at HPV16+ cancers and KRAS mutated cancers. These programs are based on the same proprietary arenavirus platform and are intended to induce targeted immune responses against tumor-associated antigens. The company has characterized its candidates as biological therapies designed to generate durable immunity.
HOOKIPA’s recent corporate actions are also important for understanding the context of the HOOK stock. In a July 18, 2025 press release, HOOKIPA announced its intention to voluntarily delist its common stock from the Nasdaq Capital Market and to deregister its common stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in connection with an asset purchase agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. for HOOKIPA’s HB-400 program assets and certain assets related to its HB-500 program. The company stated that it would seek stockholder approval for the asset sale and for the dissolution and liquidation of HOOKIPA in accordance with Delaware law.
On July 29, 2025, HOOKIPA filed a Form 25 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, providing notification of the removal of its common stock from listing and registration on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The Form 25 indicates that the company relied on the rule provision governing voluntary withdrawal of a class of securities from listing and registration. Subsequently, on August 8, 2025, HOOKIPA filed a Form 15 to terminate the registration of its common stock under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act and to suspend its duty to file reports under Sections 13 and 15(d). The Form 15 notes that the company relied on Rule 12g-4(a)(1) and Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(i) and discloses the approximate number of holders of record at the certification date.
In an 8-K dated July 29, 2025, HOOKIPA reported that its stockholders approved the sale of certain assets to Gilead under the asset purchase agreement, as well as the liquidation and dissolution of the company pursuant to a plan of dissolution. The same filing notes that stockholders also approved a proposal to permit adjournments of the special meeting if necessary. These approvals, together with the company’s subsequent SEC filings, indicate that HOOKIPA moved forward with the asset sale and with steps toward winding up and liquidation.
Prior to these corporate actions, HOOKIPA’s disclosures also referenced discussions about a potential all-share combination with Poolbeg Pharma plc, and related U.K. Takeover Code disclosure requirements. The company later issued a statement under Rule 2.8 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers indicating that its board had determined it did not intend to make an offer for Poolbeg under Rule 2.7 of the Code.
As a result of the voluntary delisting from Nasdaq and the subsequent deregistration of its common stock, HOOKIPA’s shares are no longer listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and the company has suspended its periodic reporting obligations under the Exchange Act. The company has also obtained stockholder approval for a plan of dissolution and liquidation, as reported in its Form 8-K.
Business focus and therapeutic areas
According to its public "About HOOKIPA" descriptions, the company’s research and development focus has centered on:
- Oncology: Biological therapies targeting HPV16+ cancers, KRAS mutated cancers, and other oncology targets using its arenavirus platform.
- Infectious diseases: Programs intended to provide functional cures for HBV and HIV-1, including HB-400 and HB-500, developed in collaboration with Gilead Sciences, Inc.
- Immunotherapeutics: Product candidates designed to induce specific, robust and durable CD8+ T cell and antibody responses against cancers and serious infectious diseases.
Trading status and corporate developments
HOOKIPA’s July 18, 2025 press release explains that the company’s board evaluated its long-term prospects and strategies and entered into an asset purchase agreement with Gilead for the HB-400 program and certain HB-500 assets. The same announcement outlines HOOKIPA’s intention to voluntarily delist from Nasdaq, deregister its common stock, and seek stockholder approval for its dissolution and liquidation. The subsequent Form 25 and Form 15 filings, together with the July 29, 2025 Form 8-K reporting stockholder approval of the asset sale and dissolution, document the implementation of these plans.
Following the delisting from Nasdaq, the company’s July 18, 2025 announcement notes that any trading in HOOKIPA’s common stock would only occur in privately negotiated sales and potentially on an over-the-counter market, with no guarantee that a broker would make a market in the common stock or that trading would continue.
Status of HOOKIPA as an investment
Based on the company’s own disclosures and SEC filings, HOOKIPA has sold specified program assets to Gilead, obtained stockholder approval for a plan of dissolution and liquidation, voluntarily delisted its common stock from Nasdaq, and filed to terminate the registration of its common stock and suspend its Exchange Act reporting obligations. These steps indicate that HOOKIPA has transitioned from operating as a listed clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company toward winding up and liquidating under Delaware law.