hVIVO PLC on Wednesday said it has signed a deal to manufacture a human metapneumovirus virus and to conduct a characterisation study with an unnamed North American firm.
The London-based specialist contract research organisation providing testing for infectious and respiratory vaccines said it intends to conduct a subsequent hMPV challenge trial in 2024 to test the efficacy of its vaccine candidate.
The compliant virus manufacturing activities will start immediately, and are expected to be completed in the first half of 2024.
hVIVO will then carry out a characterisation study to identify a safe and infectious dose of wild-type hMPV in up to 36 healthy adult volunteers. Depending on the outcome of the study, the company will begin conducting hMPV challenge trials from the second half of 2024.
Chief Executive Officer Yamin Khan said: ‘We are delighted to be developing the industry’s first commercial hMPV human challenge model. The continued expansion of our challenge model portfolio aligns with our mission to deliver today’s healthcare by empowering tomorrow’s innovation. We hope to help our client to bring their treatment to patients faster through the utilisation of a new unique human challenge model’.
Shares in hVIVO were down 1.4% at 14.55 pence each in London on Wednesday afternoon.
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