hVIVO contracted for $11.5m Phase IIb RSV antiviral trial

hVIVO will test a respiratory syncytial virus drug candidate using its RSV model in a deal announced this week.

The contract –worth £11.5 million – will see the UK contract research organization (CRO) use its model in a Phase IIb study expected to start in 2025 at its quarantine facilities in Canary Wharf, London.

hVIVO did not name the sponsor but did say the firm is an existing customer.

As for previous RSV studies, the CRO will recruit healthy volunteers via FluCamp, a patient and hospital network focused on boosting study participation.

hVIVO CEO Yamin Khan said: “This contract further demonstrates the trust and confidence that leading pharmaceutical companies place in hVIVO’s human challenge study models. We are proud to work with four of the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies to address unmet medical needs in infectious and respiratory diseases.

“Our unique and established RSV model can provide valuable data on a candidate’s safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy, reducing the risks associated with later-stage clinical development and accelerating the pathway to market.”

RSV options

According to recent analysis, RSV infects an estimated 33 million people each year, leading to approximately 4 million hospitalizations and approximately 101,000 RSV attributable deaths in children under five years.

At present there are three vaccines - ABRYSVO, Arexvy, and mRESVIA – and two monoclonal antibody-based treatments - nirsevimab and palivizumab – approved for RSV.

hVIVO CSO Andrew Catchpole said: “While the recent approvals of the world’s first RSV vaccines represent a major step forward, the virus continues to pose a substantial risk to public health, especially among vulnerable populations.

“The need for effective antiviral treatments that can counteract severe illness remains urgent, and human challenge trials can play a pivotal role in the development of these therapeutics.”

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