We are a rapidly growing specialist contract research organisation (CRO) and the world leader in testing infectious and respiratory disease vaccines and therapeutics using human challenge clinical trials, providing end-to-end early clinical development services for our broad and longstanding global client base of biopharma companies.
We have an unparalleled heritage in conducting human challenge trials, establishing us as the global leader in human challenge trials research!
In 2011, we opened our laboratory, screening and 24-bedroom quarantine facilities to Queen Mary BioEnterprises in Whitechapel, London. In 2021, our commitment to innovation let to the expansion of our quarantine facilities where we opened a secondary location in Whitechapel (the Whitechapel Clinic), offering volunteers a state-of-the-art clinical trial experience. Furthermore, we moved both our FluCamp screening and corporate offices to Plumbers Row. The strategic expansion gave us additional screening facilities both in Manchester and London.
In 2024 we moved to our new state-of-the-art facility in Canary Wharf which is the world’s largest human challenge trial facility . The new facility serves as a comprehensive site, housing 50 quarantine bedrooms, advanced laboratories, an outpatient unit, and our corporate offices. Our Canary Wharf site has CL-3 capability meaning we can now offer our clients and broader range of services for both challenge trials and lab support. It has also facilitated the expansion of our services to include clinical site services.
Our FluCamp screening sites in Manchester and Whitechapel continue to operate as convenient locations for volunteer recruitment.
Our services are provided and tailored for both pharmaceutical and biotech companies, utilising a range of different human challenge models and laboratory methodologies. Our extensive experience, collected over 25 years of conducting challenge studies, ensures effective study design and excellent service for customers.
We have a leading portfolio of 11+ challenge study models which include various strains of: Influenza A & B, RSV, HRV, Asthma, Cough, COPD, COVID-19, hMPV & Malaria.
We offer laboratory services through hLAB, based in Canary Wharf, London. hLAB is a highly specialised virology and immunology laboratory offering a suite of services to support pre-clinical and clinical respiratory drug and vaccine discovery & development.
Reliable laboratory analysis underpinned by scientific expertise is essential when processing and analysing clinical samples. Robust quality processes support our team of scientists in the delivery of submission ready data.
Challenge Study Models
Years of Combined Service
Number of Studies Completed
One of our distinct advantages in our human challenge trial research is access to healthy volunteers, which are recruited through our volunteer recruitment arm, FluCamp.
FluCamp welcomes volunteers take part in our human challenge trials under expertly supervised conditions, to further medical research and help take the understanding of respiratory, viral, and other infectious diseases to a new level.
In January 2020, hVIVO merged with Open Orphan plc, a rapidly growing niche CRO pharmaceutical services company.
On 26 October 2022, Open Orphan plc changed its name to hVIVO plc to maximise its brand recognition as the world leader in human challenge trials. hVIVO is now the parent company of Venn Life Sciences, an integrated drug development consultancy, which offers CMC (chemistry, manufacturing and controls), preclinical, Phase I & II clinical trials design and execution (including data management and statics management Together the companies offer a full-service solution, from consultancy and drug development, to running the human challenge model.
Building on decades of unrivalled experience, we provide world class expertise and capabilities in challenge agent manufacture, a unique portfolio of established human challenge models to test a broad range of infectious and respiratory disease products, and specialist drug development and clinical consultancy services.
Venn Life Sciences is an Integrated Drug Development partner offering a unique combination of drug development consultancy, clinical trial design and execution.
FluCamp welcomes volunteers to take part in our clinical trials under expertly supervised conditions.
hLAB is a highly specialised virology and immunology laboratory offering a suite of services to support pre-clinical and clinical respiratory drug and vaccine discovery & development.
We have an extensive history, that dates back to the UK Common Cold Unit in Salisbury which ran human challenge studies from 1946 until 1989. The facility was a former military hospital that was donated by Harvard University and began human challenge studies to try to find a cure for influenza.
Our company's founders, Professor John Oxford, worked at the Common Cold Unit alongside Dr David Tyrell, and after it closed, went on to setup Retroscreen Virology Limited out of Queens Mary University in 1989.
Retroscreen, renamed hVIVO in 2015 as part of its IPO on the London Stock Exchange, continues its challenge study work right up to the present day. We are now the world leader in providing human challenge studies to test infectious and respiratory product and we have the widest portfolio of challenge models available in influenza (A & B), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human rhinovirus (HRV), asthma, COPD, cough, malaria, COVID-19 and most recently hMPV. A number of the same techniques used at the Common Cold Unit are still used by us today, though needless to say they have modernised.
At hVIVO, we understand the vital role we play in making infectious and respiratory disease products available to patients faster than otherwise possible, using human challenge trials. With origins dating back to 1947, hVIVO has a long history of scientific research and discovery which has helped to advance global health.
Our most valuable asset is our team, and we strive to promote a diversified and welcoming environment which allows our team to thrive. We are committed to ethical and compliant business practices, from the execution of our clinical trials to our interactions with our volunteers, clients, sponsors, vendors, and investors.
We understand our responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment whenever possible, we strive to minimise our carbon footprint through energy efficiencies, local and sustainable suppliers, and waste reduction.
