Contract Research Organisation (CRO) hVIVO plc (AIM: HVO), a global leader in human challenge clinical trials, announced on Monday that it has signed a GBP2m contract with a new biopharmaceutical client to complete the final phase of its human metapneumovirus (hMPV) characterisation study.

This follows a successful pilot trial that demonstrated strong infection rates and validated the company's hMPV challenge model.

The study, set to begin in H1 2025, aims to further refine the model by enrolling additional healthy volunteers, ensuring robust data for future hMPV human challenge trials (HCTs). Subject to successful completion and regulatory approval, hVIVO expects to launch hMPV HCTs in H2 2025.

With growing global concern over hMPV due to recent outbreaks and increasing cases, hVIVO anticipates high demand for its drug development services in this area. The company remains at the forefront of human challenge trials, leveraging its state-of-the-art facilities and over 30 years of expertise to accelerate vaccine and antiviral development.