hVIVO PLC (AIM:HVO), a specialist in testing infectious disease products, has signed a £2.5 million contract for an Omicron characterisation study commissioned by a mid-sized pharma company.
The evelatuon aims to develop the world's first Omicron BA.5 challenge model. It will take place at hVIVO's state-of-the-art quarantine facility in Canary Wharf.
Researchers will use healthy volunteers aged 18-30 who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The study aims to determine a safe and effective Omicron BA.5 virus dose to help test future antivirals and vaccines. it is set to begin in late 2024, with most revenue expected in 2025.
Omicron BA.5 is a subvariant of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.
The Omicron variant is known for its high transmissibility and ability to evade some immune protection from vaccines and previous infections.
BA.5 has specific mutations in its spike protein that may affect how the virus spreads and how well it can evade the immune system.
This subvariant has contributed to waves of COVID-19 infections around the world.
"One of our key goals at hVIVO is to further diversify our challenge trial offerings.
"The establishment of a Covid challenge model is a key step to penetrating a new and expanding market, especially with regards to mucosal and multi-valent Covid vaccine development," said hVIVO's chief executive Yamin 'Mo' Khan.