hVIVO plc has announced the successful completion of a pilot characterization study for its human metapneumovirus (hMPV) strain A2 challenge agent. The study demonstrates the feasibility of a new hVIVO hMPV challenge model designed to test novel vaccines and antiviral therapies. The pilot study, conducted at hVIVO's quarantine facility in Canary Wharf, London, showed that the challenge model produced a safe, measurable, and reproducible disease in healthy volunteers, marked by strong infection rates and symptomatic illness.
The completion of this pilot study confirms that hVIVO possesses a viable hMPV human challenge model suitable for future trials aimed at developing vaccines and antivirals. The company is now actively marketing this model to potential partners to complete the characterization study and move towards human challenge trials.
Key Findings from the Pilot Study
The pilot study assessed the safety and efficacy of the hMPV strain A2 challenge agent in healthy volunteers. The results indicated:
- High Infectivity Rate: The challenge agent demonstrated a strong ability to infect healthy volunteers.
- Symptomatic Disease Induction: Infected volunteers exhibited clear and measurable disease symptoms.
- Reproducibility: The disease progression was consistent and reproducible across the study participants.
Dr. Andrew Catchpole, Chief Scientific Officer of hVIVO plc, stated, "The pilot hMPV characterisation study in healthy volunteers was designed to test the feasibility of this new model and has been very successful, producing good infectivity rates and clear disease symptoms. Like the hVIVO RSV models, I am confident our hMPV model can play a crucial role in speeding up the development of a first vaccine or antiviral for this global pathogen, which is currently causing particular concern in China where a surge in cases has been recorded."
The Need for hMPV Therapeutics
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a common virus causing upper respiratory infections with symptoms including cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. While most cases are mild, severe infections can lead to bronchiolitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. hMPV is associated with approximately 20% of respiratory tract infections in children worldwide. Severe symptoms develop in up to 16% of infected children, resulting in over 16,000 deaths annually in children under five. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for hMPV.
Presentation at the International RSV Symposium
Dr. Andrew Catchpole will present detailed data from the pilot study at the 13th International RSV Symposium in Iguazu, Brazil, from March 12-15, 2025. The presentation, titled 'Disease characteristics and immunological profiles obtained from pilot study in a newly developed hMPV human challenge model,' will provide further insights into the model's capabilities and potential applications.
