Specialist contract research organisation (CRO) Open Orphan announced on Monday that its subsidiary hVIVO has signed a £10.4mln contract with a top-five global pharmaceutical client to manufacture a new batch of H1N1 influenza challenge virus.
The AIM-listed company will develop a new influenza challenge strain then conduct a human challenge trial to test the client’s oral antiviral candidate.
The announcement marks the third such human challenge contract entered into with the leading pharmaceuticals client.
Chief executive officer Yamin 'Mo' Khan said: “We're delighted to be working again with this top-five global pharmaceutical company to test its antiviral, using a new influenza strain developed by our highly experienced team.
“Our one-stop shop service offerings from manufacturing bespoke challenge agents to conducting full challenge studies is unique in the market and I am confident that with our highly qualified teams and their clinical development expertise, we are well placed to address the growing infectious disease and respiratory research markets.”
Open Orphan is a rapidly growing CRO in testing infectious and respiratory disease products using human challenge clinical trials.
ORPH shares enjoyed a strong 6.7% rally on Monday morning as of 09:00.
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