hVIVO (HVO ) has presented positive data from several newly developed human challenge models at the 10th European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) Conference in Valencia and the World Vaccine Congress Europe in Amsterdam in October 2025.

 

The company said each model showed an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. As a result, hVIVO believes the data strengthen its position in early phase human challenge trials and underline its readiness to support sponsors seeking faster, more informative vaccine and antiviral readouts.

 

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) challenge model

At ESWI, Senior Study Physician Dr Alexander Lima presented findings from what hVIVO describes as the world’s only contemporary-strain hMPV human challenge model. Using a recent 2a strain, the model produced high infection and symptomatic attack rates and robust area-under-the-curve virology by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). hVIVO said performance compared favourably with its established RSV A model, and the hMPV model is now available for vaccine and antiviral trials.

 

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 challenge model

Senior Director Clinical Science Alex Mann outlined the development of hVIVO’s Omicron BA.5 human challenge model. The model performed well in seropositive, previously vaccinated volunteers, confirming suitability for vaccine and treatment studies. A key operational takeaway was the importance of dosing timing post-inoculation, particularly for post-exposure prophylaxis. hVIVO said this is the first commercially available Omicron human challenge model.

 

Respiratory syncytial virus B (RSV B) challenge model
 

At World Vaccine Congress Europe, Chief Scientific Officer Dr Andrew Catchpole presented positive results from the new RSV B model, which achieved high infection rates and is now available for efficacy testing. In addition, hVIVO’s development of RSV B and hMPV models, together with the collection of parainfluenza virus (PIV) clinical samples, has enabled a broader efficacy testing platform. In practice, this allows sponsors to evaluate individual components of next-generation combination respiratory vaccines.

 

Any interested parties should contact bd@hvivo.com for further information.

 

hVIVO’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr Andrew Catchpole said: "We are delighted to have presented such positive data across three pathogens, hMPV, RSV B, and Omicron, at two of the industry's most influential scientific conferences. These results not only validate our unmatched expertise in designing and delivering new challenge models but also reinforce hVIVO's commitment to accelerating the development of vital vaccines and therapeutics and ensuring we have models that reflect industry's evolving needs."

 

View from Vox

 

A contemporary hMPV model, a commercially available Omicron model proven in vaccinated participants, and a high-performing RSV B model give hVIVO a wider respiratory toolkit. Together with PIV sampling, the platform aligns with the industry’s shift toward multi-pathogen vaccines and should help sponsors refine dose, regimen and timing earlier. If adopted across programmes, this breadth could support higher facility utilisation and deepen the near-term order book.