A ‘universal’ flu vaccine moved a step nearer as hVIVO PLC (LON:HVO) reported good responses in a phase IIb trial of its new treatment FLU-v.
Trevor Phillips, hVIVO’s executive chairman, said FLU-v is now positioned to enter a Phase III trial, with clear disease and symptom-based endpoints identified.
WATCH: hVIVO PLC gearing up for Phase III trial of its flu vaccine FLU-v
The trial hit both its primary and secondary endpoints with a reduction in influenza infection rates and severity and duration of symptoms also observed.
FLU-v product profile is a broad spectrum (A, B and Pandemic strains), stand-alone, single injection influenza vaccine.
Phillips added FLU-v can potentially address a much larger patient population than current flu vaccines and has blockbuster sales potential.
FLU-v is being developed by Imutex Limited, hVIVO's 49% joint venture with the SEEK Group.
Gregory Stoloff, SEEK’s chief executive, said: "The disease and symptom reduction seen with this "universal" influenza vaccine candidate is achieved by stimulating an immune response mediated through T&B-cells to internal conserved influenza proteins in contrast to seasonal influenza vaccines that prevent infection through antibody protection against external variable proteins.
“FLU-v is designed to protect against a broad range of influenza viral strains and this includes unexpected seasonal strains or a potentially devastating pandemic strain."
In this (EU-funded) trial 176 subjects (aged 18-60 years) were assigned to either placebo or treatment arms.
The primary endpoint was to assess the immunogenicity responses of different formulations and regimens versus placebo at 42 and 180 days post-vaccination in healthy volunteers.
Shares jumped 25% to 25p.