A clinical study using facilities and a trial protocol developed by hVIVO PLC (LON:HVO) has delivered positive results.
Enanta Pharmaceuticals’ N-protein inhibitor, EDP-938, achieved a “highly statistically significant” reduction in viral load and cleared up the symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
RSV is an infection of the lungs and respiratory tract that commonly affects children.
In this particular clinical assessment healthy adults were intentionally infected in what’s called a challenge study that took place at specialist centre owned by hVIVO in London using a protocol developed by the company. A separate comparator group of people received a placebo treatment with no medical benefit.
Setting up the trial in this way, researchers were able to establish the potential efficacy of EDP-938.
“These positive clinical proof of concept results support the further development of EDP-938,” said hVIVO chairman, Dr Trevor Phillips.
“The study conducted by hVIVO highlights the value that can be obtained from challenge studies to rapidly establish clear indications of clinical efficacy and dose-response and deliver supporting safety data in a cost-effective controlled study at an early stage of a product's development.
“The data also further validate the value of our RSV challenge model that we believe to be the only such RSV model currently commercially available.”
In morning trading, hVIVO shares were 3.9% higher at 20.25p.
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