Shares in hVIVO PLC (AIM:HVO) rose 23% on Monday after the company’s top two executives bought a combined 1.8 million shares, a move Peel Hunt said would offer reassurance to investors following recent contract cancellations.
Chief executive Mo Khan acquired 1.1 million shares at 8.9p, while chief financial officer Stephen Pinkerton purchased 683,000 at the same price.
The transactions came just days after hVIVO announced the termination of a major human challenge trial contract and a study delay, all linked to ongoing uncertainty in the US market for clinical research.
In a note, Peel Hunt said the management’s share purchases suggest confidence in the long-term strategy, adding that investors would “take encouragement” from the timing of the move.
The broker acknowledged near-term pressure, including a reduced contracted order book for 2025, but highlighted hVIVO’s largest-ever sales pipeline and diversification into lab and storage services.
The shares rose 2.76p to 10.76p.