H.C. Wainwright analyst Swayampakula Ramakanth lowered his price target for Advaxis (ADXS) to $6 from $23 after the FDA placed a clinical hold on the Phase 1/2 study investigating the combination of the company's axalimogene filolisbac and AstraZeneca's (AZN) durvalumab for the treatment of HPV-associated cervical and head and neck cancers. Based on its previous safety profile, axalimogene is unlikely to be the cause of death for this patient, Ramakanth tells investors in a research note. The analyst, however, notes that it would likely take several months before the FDA is able to reach a decision and lift the clinical hold. He anticipates a one-to-two quarter delay to the axal plus durva combination therapy program but keeps a Buy rating on Advaxis shares.

Bearish flow noted in AstraZeneca with 3,362 puts trading, or 1.7x expected. Most active are 4/26 weekly 70 puts and May-24 70 calls, with total volume in those strikes near 3,600 contracts. The Put/Call Ratio is 1.72, while ATM IV is up nearly 2 points on the day. Earnings are expected on April 25th.