Open Orphan: Focused on a buoyant outlook

Open Orphan (ORPH) is a specialist Contract Research Organisation (CRO) offering pharmaceutical services relating to orphan and emerging therapies, and is pioneer in the testing of vaccines and anti-viral treatments through the use of human viral challenge (HVC) studies. FY19 financial results reflected a period of transition, as the company consolidated only six months of Venn revenues, with the focus being on integration and ongoing streamlining of the business, following the post–period acquisition of hVIVO in January. The outlook is for expanding its range of pharma services, completing the development of a COVID-19 HVC model, which is already attracting the attention of global pharma industry. It is also based on leveraging the potential of the broader anti-viral challenge study capabilities, and a growing range of laboratory services, targeting profitability by Q3 2020.