hVIVO PLC on Monday said it had signed a letter of intent to run phase 3 trials on ILiAD Biotechnologies LLC’s whooping cough vaccine.

The London-based medical research contractor is slated to test BPZE1, the lead vaccine candidate of the Florida-based biotechnology firm. BPZE1 targets bordetella pertussis, a type of bacteria which causes whooping cough.

hVIVO described the deal with ILiAD as a ‘landmark study’ in its human challenge portfolio. This model of testing means researchers expose volunteers to the bacteria, rather than waiting to test naturally-infected patients.

The two companies are yet to finalise the deal, though testing is expected to commence in the second-half of 2025.

hVIVO shares rose 8.8% to 21.33 pence on Monday morning in London.

The news comes amid one of whooping cough’s cyclical outbreaks, according to hViVO. Global vaccination rates for the disease are estimated at 84%. Still in 2024, the US Centre for Disease & Prevention reported a sixfold annual increase in cases as part of a ‘return to pre-pandemic patterns’.

ILiAD Chief Executive Keith Rubin commented: ‘By leveraging hVIVO’s extensive experience and expertise in human challenge trials, we plan to generate robust pivotal clinical data to support global marketing authorisation applications for BPZE1, a vaccine with the potential to address a major unmet medical need.’

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