Open Orphan PLC (LON:ORPH) said its hVIVO subsidiary won a deal to test an antiviral in human challenge studies using the common cold and flu virus.
It will be working with Philadelphia-based AIM ImmunoTech’s drug Ampligen as part of a phase II trial, which is expected to kick off in the fourth quarter.
Open Orphan said the latest contract demonstrated the breadth of its service offering and its ability to test multiple pathogens at once in its state-of-the-art zoned unit, “reinforcing its status as the world leader in its field”.
It said it expects to sign more contracts in this area mainly due to the increased international focus on respiratory and infectious diseases following the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
“Being able to test our client's product against multiple pathogens in a single study demonstrates our capability of our state-of-the-art London unit, our industry-leading experience, and our position as the go to provider of human challenge studies for biotech and pharmaceutical companies globally,” added chairman Cathal Friel.
“Fortunately, with our access to three challenge study clinics in London, we were able to find a small gap in our schedule later this year to slot this particular study in at short notice.”