hVIVO, a UK-based contract research organisation (CRO), has announced a new contract valued at £11.5 million to test a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) drug candidate using its established RSV human challenge model. The Phase IIb study is slated to begin in 2025 at hVIVO’s quarantine facilities located in Canary Wharf, London.
The sponsor of the study remains unnamed, though hVIVO confirmed it is an existing customer. Recruitment for the trial will be managed through FluCamp, a network focused on increasing participation in clinical studies by engaging healthy volunteers.
CEO Highlights Importance of the RSV Model
Yamin Khan, CEO of hVIVO, expressed confidence in the organisation’s human challenge study models, stating:
“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.”
Khan emphasised that hVIVO’s RSV model provides critical data on safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy, helping reduce risks in later-stage clinical development and potentially accelerating the market approval process for new treatments.
RSV’s Global Impact and Current Treatments
RSV affects an estimated 33 million people globally each year, leading to about 4 million hospitalisations and over 100,000 deaths in children under five. Approved treatments include three vaccines (ABRYSVO, Arexvy, and mRESVIA) and two monoclonal antibody-based options (nirsevimab and palivizumab).
Future Need for Antiviral Treatments
Andrew Catchpole, hVIVO’s Chief Scientific Officer, acknowledged the recent progress in RSV prevention but highlighted the ongoing need for effective antiviral treatments:
“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 critical role in the development of these therapeutics.”
The collaboration with an unnamed sponsor underlines hVIVO’s prominence in infectious disease research and its pivotal role in advancing RSV treatment options. With the trial expected to launch in 2025, the results could mark a significant milestone in tackling this pressing public health challenge.
