hVIVO completes hMPV pilot study, opens door for vaccine development
() , a contract research organisation specialising in human challenge trials, said it successfully completed a pilot characterisation study for its human metapneumovirus (hMPV) strain A2 challenge agent.
The pilot study took place at hVIVO's new CL3 quarantine facility in Canary Wharf. said the study produced a safe, measurable, and reproducible disease in healthy volunteers, with strong rates of infection and symptomatic disease.
The study was a proof-of-concept, establishing 's hMPV human challenge model, which can now be used to support the development of hMPV vaccines and antivirals. is currently marketing the hMPV challenge model, and expecting to complete the remainder of the characterisation study with a partner in advance of future human challenge trials.
Investors can look forward to detailed data from the study, to be presented by hVIVO's CSO Dr Andrew Catchpole at the 13th International RSV Symposium on 12-15 March 2025 in Iguazu, Brazil. The presentation will be titled 'Disease characteristics and immunological profiles obtained from pilot study in a newly developed hMPV human challenge model'.
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hVIVO successfully completes its hMPV pilot study, key to future development of hMPV vaccines and antivirals. The study successfully tested the feasibility of HVO's hMPV human challenge model, producing good infectivity rates and clear disease symptoms in healthy volunters. is now marketing for hMPV challenge trials to support the development of a first vaccine or antiviral. hMPV has become an increasing global health concern, with a recent surge in cases reported in China.
hVIVO has a strong track record in supporting the development of vaccine and antiviral candidates using its signature human challenge models. Most recently, won an £11.5m contract with an existing top-tier pharma client to test its RSV candidate using 's RSV model. 's trials are in high demand as they offer time-efficient and cost-effective ways to generate early human efficacy data and inform later-stage trial design, accelerating the path to market for new drugs.
The pilot hMPV study announced today took place at hVIVO's new state-of-the-art C3L quarantine unit in Canary Wharf. The facility is now the world's largest commercial human challenge trial unit and is expected to significantly diversify 's pipeline with new pathogen models, as well as materially boost operational efficiency and margins in the medium term.
hVIVO maintained a strong orderbook of £71m at the end of H1 2024, with excellent visibility into FY25, bolstered by the aforementioned £11.5m RSV contract. recently reaffirmed its FY24 revenue guidance of £62m, with management projecting full-year EBITDA margins to be at the upper end of market expectations.
hVIVO has a significant pipeline that is continuing to grow, including new challenge models and new revenue streams (eg clinical site studies, standalone lab services, and volunteer/patient recruitment). aims for £100m of revenues by FY28, which is highly achievable given its strong sales momentum and US$37m cash position.
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