Open Orphan PLC (AIM:ORPH, OTC:OPORF), which is soon changing its name to hVIVO PLC, announced that positive data from a peer-reviewed study that evaluates the in-vitro efficacy of FLU-v, a broad spectrum influenza vaccine, was published in the scientific journal Vaccines.
FLU-v is owned by Imutex, a joint venture between hVIVO and PepTcell Ltd set up with the aim of developing vaccines against influenza and mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika virus, malaria and other flaviviruses.
The in-vitro study found that measurements of IFN-γ and granzyme B production in stimulated immune cells from participants that had been previously vaccinated with either FLU-v or placebo were significantly higher in the former, the contract research group said in a statement.
These results further support the continued development of FLU-v as a broad-spectrum influenza vaccine, it said.
Andrew Catchpole, hVIVO chief scientific officer, commented: "It is encouraging to see further positive data for FLU-v, supporting its continued development as a broad-spectrum influenza vaccine.
“There is a large unmet need for a broad-spectrum vaccine to help battle emerging seasonal and pandemic influenza A and B viruses.”
Previous clinical studies showed FLU-v induced increased antibody and cellular responses in-vivo, while the placebo-controlled study evaluated the ability of the vaccine to induce measures of the immune response, with cross-reactivity being particularly important for protection against multiple viral strains, following exposure to five different influenza variants.
“Although FLU-v had already produced successful phase II clinical data, this in-vitro study is particularly important as it showed the ability of the candidate to induce an immune response against a diverse variety of influenza A and B strains."
Seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality each year and pandemic influenza continues to pose a worldwide threat, Open Orphan noted.
There is an estimated 1bn cases per year of influenza, with 3-5mln severe ones and 290,000-650,000 deaths.
Open Orphan’s shares were trading 3.0% higher at 10.3p on Friday morning.