Open Orphan plc changed its name to hVIVO plc on 26 October 2022, learn more here.

Modern Slavery Act Statement

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires those entities carrying on a business or part of a business in the UK, supplying goods or services, and having an annual turnover of £36 million or more to disclose information regarding the steps they have taken to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their supply chain as well as within their own organisation during the previous financial year.

MODERN SLAVERY ACT STATEMENT

hVIVO Services Limited (“hVIVO”) is committed to engaging in its business ethically and working to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking throughout our organisation and within our supply chain. This statement is made pursuant to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and highlights the key activities we have undertaken during the financial year ending 31 December 2022 to tackle modern slavery.

BUSINESS STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION

hVIVO Services Limited is registered in England and Wales under company number 02326557 and has its registered office at Queen Mary Bioenterprises Innovation Centre, 42 New Road, London, E1 2AX.

We operate as a specialist contract research organisation and a world leader in testing infectious and respiratory disease vaccines and therapeutics using human challenge clinical trials. The company sits within the hVIVO plc (formerly Open Orphan plc) group which also includes the drug development and services firm Venn Life Sciences based in France and the Netherlands.

We conduct business across multiple UK sites, primarily from London via our laboratory testing and quarantine facilities at Queen Mary Bioenterprises Innovation Centre and also our support centre and volunteer screening facility in Plumbers Row. In addition, we have a secondary screening facility in Manchester and a biobank in Ely.

OUR POLICIES AND TRAINING

In accordance with hVIVO’s commitment to tackling modern slavery and human trafficking, we have several policies and procedures in place which are routinely updated and serve as the basis of our compliance against the risks associated with modern slavery. These include our HR, Diversity and Equal Opportunities, Whistleblowing, and Anti-Corruption & Bribery policies, and our standard Vendor Management and Supplier Assessment operating procedures.

These policies are available to all hVIVO colleagues and we are introducing compliance training for appropriate employees which incorporates modern slavery awareness.

SUPPLY CHAIN AND DUE DILIGENCE

hVIVO’s supply chain includes specialist goods and services, such as laboratory equipment, viral products, and clinical trial consultancy services.

We are committed to sourcing quality products and services from, and building relationships with, suppliers who share our values and ethical standards. We do not enter into business with any organisation, in the UK or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to be involved in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

We continually evaluate how to identify and address risks across our supply chain, including those related to modern slavery and human trafficking. In order to mitigate risk, we use a variety of methods which allow us to undertake due diligence on our suppliers and ensure that we have appropriate policies and contractual terms in place, so that our suppliers understand the standards that we require of them.

SIGNATURE

This Statement has been approved by the hVIVO Board of Directors and signed by Yamin Khan on behalf of hVIVO Services Limited.

Signed Name: Yamin Khan
Position: Chief Executive Officer
Date: 9 March 2023

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