hVIVO, a UK-based company, is leading the development of a platform using human disease models to speed up drug discovery, particularly in respiratory and infectious diseases such as flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), asthma, and the common cold. The company claims to be the world leader in testing vaccines and treatments for infectious and respiratory conditions through human challenge clinical trials.
Offering a full range of early clinical development services, hVIVO caters to a large and expanding group of clients, including four of the top ten global biopharma companies. Its services include a portfolio of 11 human challenge models, with additional models in development, to test various infectious and respiratory disease products.
The company’s expertise extends beyond challenge trials, with capabilities in challenge agent manufacturing, drug development, and clinical consultancy under its Venn Life Sciences brand. It also offers laboratory services through its hLAB brand, focusing on virology, immunology, and molecular testing. Additionally, hVIVO supports clinical field trials with services such as patient recruitment, leveraging its FluCamp screening centres in London and Manchester to enrol volunteers for studies.
hVIVO operates challenge trials from its state-of-the-art facilities in Canary Wharf, London, which opened earlier this year. This facility, the world’s largest commercial human challenge trial unit, includes specialised virology and immunology laboratories and an outpatient unit.
In July, hVIVO announced that its first-half revenue for 2024 reached £35.6 million, a 30.6% growth compared to the first half of 2023. This growth was driven by the company’s strong operational performance, marked by a record number of volunteer inoculations across multiple studies and challenge models running concurrently. CEO Mo Khan highlighted the team’s commitment during a period of high activity, which included the move to the new Canary Wharf facility. The company not only increased its revenue but also improved profit margins, with the simultaneous operation of three different facilities boosting its first-half revenue.
The company’s order book remains strong despite record revenue delivery, and it continues to execute its growth strategy. Khan also mentioned key achievements such as the Omicron characterisation study contract and the largest field study awarded to date. The sales pipeline is promising, with several advanced-stage opportunities expected to materialise in the coming months. With the new Canary Wharf facility welcoming its first volunteers, Khan is optimistic about the company’s future performance.
hVIVO’s position as a leader in the field of human challenge trials, coupled with its robust financial growth and expansion into new facilities, presents a promising outlook for the company’s future.
