hVIVO PLC (AIM:HVO) has signed a deal with Inhalon Biopharma to test an inhaled antiviral treatment for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - strengthening the company's longer-term order book.
The trial will check how well Inhalon's drug, IN-002, works against the virus.
FluCamp, hVIVO’s volunteer recruitment arm, will find healthy participants for the study.
Volunteers will receive one of three different doses to see how effective the drug is. The trial is set to start in the second half of 2026 at hVIVO’s quarantine facilities in Canary Wharf. Most of the revenue from the contract is expected to come in that year.
The study will be a phase IIa trial, meaning it is an early-stage test in humans. It will be randomised and double-blinded, meaning neither the volunteers nor the researchers will know who gets the actual drug and who gets a placebo.
IN-002 is delivered straight into the lungs using Inhalon’s patented technology.
Early studies with other Inhalon drugs suggest this method could help patients recover faster and reduce inflammation. The inhaled treatment may also make it easier to treat young children with RSV at home.
hVIVO CEO Yamin 'Mo' Khan said: "We previously identified the next generation of vaccines and antivirals, including mucosal-based delivery systems, as being a key growth driver for our challenge trial business.
"The contract win strengthens our longer term orderbook, adding to visibility into 2026.
"Inhalon's IN-002 and its innovative delivery platform could provide a novel way to combat RSV infections.
"The study is also notable for including three dosing arms - further supporting the trend of biopharma companies looking to obtain greater actionable insights into their candidates earlier to help inform later-stage field trials."
No financial details were given. The latest deal follows a relatively busy opening month of 2025 in which it landed a £3.2 million contract and inked a letter of intent to collaborate on whooping cough challenge trial.