Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. INO announced that it will receive an undisclosed amount of milestone payment from AstraZeneca AZN as the latter dosed the first patient in a phase II study on T cell-activating immunotherapy, MEDI0457. The study will evaluate MEDI0457 in combination with AstraZeneca’s anti PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor, Imfinzi (durvalumab), for treating several human papilloma virus (HPV) related cancers.We remind investors that in August 2015, MedImmune in-licensed exclusive rights to Inovio’s INO-3112, which is now known as MEDI0457. Medimmune is a wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca.The open-label phase II program will be funded by MedImmune and will be conducted as part of MD Anderson’s “Moon Shot” cancer initiative. MD Anderson is a cancer research center in Houston. Dr. Michael Frumovitz, managing director, MD Anderson research center, is a noted cancer researcher, who is sponsoring the above-mentioned phase II analysis.The program looks to treat patients with HPV-related cervical, anal, penile and vulvar cancers. Inovio is entitled to receive an additional milestone and royalty payments with the amplification of HPV cancer targets.Shares of Inovio have rallied 26.4% year to date versus the industry’s decline of 14.4%.We remind investors that MedImmune is also evaluating MEDI0457 (combo of Inovio’s VGX-3100 immunotherapy and a DNA-based immune activator encoded for IL-12) in combination with Imfinzi, for the treatment of HPV-caused cervical plus head and neck cancers.VGX-3100 is the most advanced candidate in Inovio’s pipeline, developed for treating HPV-16/18-related high-grade cervical dysplasia (CIN 2/3). Currently, the candidate is being evaluated in a phase III investigation (REVEAL 1) for addressing cervical dysplasia caused by HPV. The company expects to complete enrollment in REVEAL 1 study by early 2019 and initiate the phase II thereafter. It is also conducting a phase II assessment to examine the efficacy of VGX-3100 in women with HPV-related vulvar neoplasia.Zacks Rank & Other Stocks to ConsiderInovio currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Other top-ranked stocks in the healthcare sector include Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ALXN and Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. VNDA, both sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Alexion’s earnings estimates have been revised 5.3% upward for 2018 and 2.1% for 2019 over the past 60 days. The stock has gained 2.2% year to date.Vanda Pharmaceuticals’ earnings estimates have been raised 112.5% for 2018 and 11.1% for 2019 over the past 60 days. The stock has soared 90.3% year to date.Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.See the pot trades we're targeting>>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AstraZeneca PLC (AZN): Free Stock Analysis Report Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALXN): Free Stock Analysis Report Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (INO): Free Stock Analysis Report Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VNDA): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.