£6m Influenza HCT contract signed
RNS Number : 3169D
hVIVO PLC
07 May 2026
hVIVO plc
("hVIVO", the "Company" or the "Group")
£6m Influenza HCT contract signed with clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company
Human Challenge study to test a monoclonal antibody; with revenue to be recognised across 2026 & 2027
London, UK - 7 May 2026, hVIVO plc (AIM: HVO), a purpose-built, full-service international clinical development partner and the world leader in human challenge trials, announces that it has signed a £6 million Clinical Trial Agreement ("CTA") to conduct a human challenge (HCT) trial on behalf of a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for respiratory viral diseases. The trial will evaluate the monoclonal antibody using the hVIVO Influenza Human Challenge Study Model.
This will be a randomised, double-blinded placebo-controlled trial planned to take place at the Company's specialist state-of-the-art quarantine facilities in Canary Wharf. Healthy participants will be recruited through the Company's participant recruitment arm, FluCamp, and all lab work associated with the efficacy analysis for the study will be conducted by hVIVO's own specialist virology laboratory in Canary Wharf.
The study is expected to commence in 2026, with revenue recognised in 2026 and 2027. This contract, along with others recently announced, provides a significant step change to revenue visibility in 2026.
Yamin 'Mo' Khan, Chief Executive Officer of hVIVO, said: "hVIVO's ability to deliver integrated recruitment, clinical trials and specialist virology analytics enables our clients to evaluate innovative assets rapidly and rigorously, delivering clear, value-generating data. This study reflects the strength of our end‑to‑end offering and our continued focus on supporting partners developing differentiated solutions for influenza prevention."
Dr Andrew Catchpole, Chief Scientific Officer of hVIVO, added: "Our Influenza Human Challenge Study Model is specifically designed to characterise viral kinetics and host responses, enabling effective early evaluation of the clinical and virological impact of novel drugs. Seasonal influenza remains a significant burden for global healthcare systems and hVIVO is proud to help speed up the development of new therapies that are vital to reducing the severity of yearly outbreaks."
Seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality each year, with an estimated 1 billion cases per year, 3-5 million severe cases and 290,000 - 650,000 deaths per year. To date, hVIVO has inoculated >5,000 healthy participants across 2,477 influenza, RSV and other viral HCTs, and has also helped accelerate the development of several antiviral and vaccine candidates for both Big Pharma and biotechnology clients through its consulting, laboratory and clinical trial services.
For further information please contact:
| hVIVO plc | +44 (0)20 7756 1300 | |||
| Yamin'Mo' Khan, Chief Executive Officer Stephen Pinkerton, Chief Financial Officer | ||||
| Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker) | +44 (0)20 7220 0500 | |||
| Geoff Nash, Callum Davidson Trisyia Jamaludin, Harriet Ward Nigel Birks - Life Science Specialist Sales Louise Talbot - Sales | ||||
| Peel Hunt LLP (Joint Broker) | +44 (0)20 7418 8900 | |||
| James Steel, Dr Christopher Golden | ||||
| Davy (Joint Broker) | +353 (0) 1 679 6363 | |||
| Anthony Farrell, Niall Gilchrist | ||||
| ICR Healthcare (Financial PR & IR) Mary-Jane Elliott / Stephanie Cuthbert / Phillip Marriage / Louis Ashe-Jepson | hVIVO@icrhealthcare.com | |||