hVIVO PLC (AIM:HVO), the contract research group specialising in the testing of infectious and respiratory diseases, said it has begun the development of a human metapneumovirus (hMPV) challenge model.
It is doing so having secured a contract with an unnamed customer based in North America.
Under this agreement, hVIVO will undertake the manufacturing of an hMPV virus and perform a characterisation study.
This is with a view to conducting an hMPV challenge trial in 2024, to assess the effectiveness of the North American company's vaccine candidate.
hMPV is a widespread virus that causes an upper respiratory infection akin to the common cold. Symptoms can include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath.
Though the majority of hMPV cases are mild, severe instances can lead to bronchiolitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
Globally, hMPV is linked with approximately 20% of respiratory tract infections in children. Notably, up to 16% of children infected with hMPV develop more severe symptoms, resulting in over 16,000 deaths annually in children under five.
Despite its global prevalence and potential for serious illness, there are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for hMPV.
The development of the virus (and potentially a challenge study) mirrors the work hVIVO conducted in the area of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
Pfizer and GSK have each recently secured regulatory sign-off for RSV vaccinations that analysts are confident will become blockbuster products.
hVIVO's focus on hMPV will start immediately with the development of a good manufacturing practice-compliant virus manufacturing processes.
Completion of these activities is slated for the first half of 2024. Following this, a characterisation study will be conducted. The aim of this study is to identify a safe and infectious dose of wild-type hMPV in up to 36 healthy adult volunteers.
Should the characterisation study be successful and all requisite regulatory approvals be received, hVIVO plans to conduct hMPV challenge trials from the latter half of next year. It is anticipated that the majority of revenue from this comprehensive human challenge service will be recognised in 2024.
hVIVO's chief executive Mo Khan said: "We are delighted to be developing the industry's first commercial hMPV human challenge model.
"The continued expansion of our challenge model portfolio aligns with our mission to deliver today's healthcare by empowering tomorrow's innovation.
"We hope to help our client to bring their treatment to patients faster through the utilisation of a new unique human challenge model. We will continue to expand our library of challenge models and provide a mechanism for our customers to expedite their drug development."