hVivo shares boosted after test success

AIM-listed research outfit hVivo (LON:HVO) has seen its share price climb by 3.85% to 20.25p (as 08:45 BST) after a test using its RSV challenge model delivered positive results. The study was run on Enanta Pharmaceuticals’ novel protein inhibitor and showed a statistically significant decrease in viral load and clinical symptoms.

Executive chairman Dr Trevor Phillips commented: “We are pleased to have been able to support Enanta in the development of this novel therapy. These positive clinical proof of concept results support the further development of EDP-938. The study conducted by hVIVO highlights the value that can be obtained from challenge studies to rapidly establish clear indications of clinical efficacy and dose-response and deliver supporting safety data in a cost-effective controlled study at an early stage of a product’s development. The data also further validate the value of our RSV challenge model that we believe to be the only such RSV model currently commercially available.

The Company’s contract pipeline is experiencing a strong demand for RSV challenge study services, which is reflective of the unmet medical need that companies are addressing and the results of this study are further endorsement of the value of the hVIVO challenge model in RSV and the benefit of viral challenge models in clinical development in general“.