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Open Orphan Chairman Cathal Friel speaks to BRR Media re the new contract, other developments and the CEO’s departure
Open Orphan PLC’s (LON:ORPH) Cathal Friel speaks to Rosie Riall at BRR Media after signing a new deal with a US biotech for the provision of a respiratory syncytial virus human challenge study. Cathal also covers the channel pipeline, the hVIVO quarantine centre, flu and malaria vaccines and the planned departure of CEO Trevor Phillips.
Open Orphan: Flu vaccine data showcased in peer reviewed article – Proactive Investors
by Ian Lyall. 
FLU-v has been developed by Imutex, 49%-owned by Open Orphan unit hVIVO
The results of a successful phase IIb trial of a potential flu vaccine being developed by an Open Orphan PLC (LON:ORPH) joint-venture have been written up in a peer-reviewed article carried by a scientific journal.
The data from FLU-v 004 challenge study underlined its ability to reduce mild-to-moderate symptoms of the illness.
FLU-v has been developed by Imutex, 49%-owned by Open Orphan unit hVIVO, as the first ‘universal’, broad-spectrum influenza vaccine.
The publication of the results in the periodical ‘npj Vaccines’ follows hard on the heels of results from a separate field assessment of the drug, which revealed “cellular and humoral immunogenicity” from a single dose of adjuvanted FLU-v.
In other words, the jab immediately provoked an immune response.
Imutex, meanwhile, is scheduling meetings with regulators on both sides of the Atlantic ahead of further trials.
“Progression to larger phase III studies with FLU-v can further describe the cellular immune response and evaluate how the vaccine interacts with influenza disease,” said Open Orphan chief executive Trevor Phillips.
Chairman Cathal Friel added: “The need for better, more broadly protective vaccines against influenza is a high priority worldwide, and few new vaccines have demonstrated efficacy in humans as seen in the results of the challenge study for FLU-v 004.
“This is the first universal influenza vaccine that has shown this protection from influenza and reduction of symptoms in late-stage studies and together with the highly statistical immune results reported in a peer review article earlier this week means that the risk of failure in a phase III setting is greatly reduced compared with entering into phase III studies with no efficacy data.”
Link here to view the original Proactive article
Open Orphan #ORPH – Publication of positive FLU-v vaccine challenge study results in journal
Positive results from FLU-v vaccine challenge study (FLU-v 004), the second Phase IIb study of FLU-v, which has been developed by Imutex Limited, hVIVO’s 49% joint venture with the SEEK Group, have now been published in a peer review journal
FLU-v is a first-in-class ‘universal’, broad spectrum, standalone, influenza vaccine candidate
- The publication in ‘npj Vaccines’ reported that one dose of FLU-v induced statistically significant reduction in mild to moderate influenza disease (MMID) defined as detection of viral shedding with at least one influenza symptom – reduction in confirmed influenza and symptoms
- One dose of FLU-v also induced a statistically significant reduction in the number of subjects experiencing 2 or more influenza symptoms compared to placebo
- This report follows recent publication of positive FLU-v Phase IIb field study results (FLU-v 003) demonstrating cellular and humoral immunogenicity of a single dose of adjuvanted FLU-v in 175 individuals
- The npj Vaccines article concludes that the T-cell strategy employed by FLU-v has potential to offer protection against influenza infection as a vaccine and that larger studies can evaluate how the vaccine interacts with influenza strains in different cohorts
- Imutex is currently scheduling meetings with key regulatory authorities, FDA and EMEA, hoping to gain confirmation of the remaining development pathway to approval for FLU-v
16 March 2020: Open Orphan plc (ORPH), the rapidly growing specialist CRO pharmaceutical services company which has a focus on orphan drugs and is a world leader in the provision of virology and vaccine challenge study services, today announces publication of positive results of a Phase IIb challenge study of FLU-v 004 (Study 004, NCT03180801) in npj Vaccines. The headline results from this study were previously announced by hVIVO on 10 January 2019. FLU-v is being developed by Imutex Limited, hVIVO’s 49% joint venture with PepTcell Limited, trading as the SEEK Group (“SEEK”).
The primary endpoint was achieved in the Phase IIb challenge study conducted by hVIVO using the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Flu virus strain, methodology and analysis as a result of a collaboration between SEEK and the NIAID. The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-centre, phase IIb efficacy and safety trial was designed and led by Matthew J. Memoli, M.D., NIAID. It was conducted in 153 healthy individuals between 18-55 years of age. They were randomised to receive one or two doses of adjuvanted FLU-v or adjuvanted placebo subcutaneously on days -43 and -22, prior to intranasal challenge on day 0 with the A/California/04/2009/H1N1 human influenza A challenge virus. The challenge virus strain was developed, tested and supplied by Dr. Memoli and co-workers from NIAID’s Laboratory of Infectious Diseases. The primary objective of the study was to identify a reduction in mild to moderate influenza disease (MMID) defined as having an influenza-like symptom with a confirmed influenza virus. Single dose adjuvanted FLU-v recipients (n=40) were significantly less likely to develop MMID after challenge vs placebo (n=42) (32.5% vs 54.8% p=0.035). The authors concluded that FLU-v should continue to be evaluated and cellular immunity explored further as a possible important correlate of protection against influenza. Additional endpoints were also achieved, including a statistically significant reduction in the number of volunteers who experienced two or more symptoms. Also, FLU-v performed better than placebo, although not to statistical significance, in a number of other key endpoints such as median duration of symptoms and severity of disease as measured by an NIAID-developed FLU-PRO questionnaire, as well as reduction in the mean total number of symptoms and mean peak symptoms, and total viral shedding.
Trevor Phillips, CEO of Open Orphan, said:
“Publication of these positive results for the second FLU-v Phase IIb study (FLU-v004; challenge study) follow on from the publication earlier this week of the FLU-v 003; field study, results.
The results demonstrate that T-cell immunity against conserved regions of the influenza virus is an important component for “universal*” vaccine strategies. Progression to larger Phase III studies with FLU-v can further describe the cellular immune response and evaluate how the vaccine interacts with influenza disease.
The efficacy of FLU-v in this wild-type human influenza challenge study (FLU-v 004) along with the supporting data from previous trials in the field, should be further examined in larger field trials where efficacy of FLU-v can be evaluated against a broader set of influenza strains and wider spectrum of disease. Along with our partner SEEK we have confidence in the potential of FLU-v as a universal flu vaccine and we are in the process of requesting meetings to continue discussions with the key regulatory authorities on the pathway for completing development of this exciting product opportunity.”
Cathal Friel, Executive Chairman of Open Orphan, said:
“The need for better, more broadly protective vaccines against influenza is a high priority worldwide, and few new vaccines have demonstrated efficacy in humans as seen in the results of the challenge study for FLU-v 004. This is the first universal influenza vaccine that has shown this protection from influenza and reduction of symptoms in late-stage studies and together with the highly statistical immune results reported in a peer review article earlier this week means that the risk of failure in a Phase III setting is greatly reduced compared with entering into Phase III studies with no efficacy data.
As previously stated, the additional investment or cost associated with commercialising FLU-v, will come from out-licencing the final stages of development including Phase III, to potential major international pharmaceutical companies, in Europe, North America and China. We remain excited about the potential for FLU-v and in a time when vaccine development is such a key focus globally.“
* A universal flu vaccine is one that is effective against all strains of the virus and does not require changing from year to year
Abstract: https://www.nature.com – DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-0174-9. Efficacy of FLU-v, a Broad-Spectrum Influenza Vaccine, in a Randomized Phase IIb Human Influenza Challenge Study
Abstract:
FLU-v, developed by PepTcell (SEEK) is a novel peptide vaccine aiming to provide a broadly protective cellular immune response against influenza A and B.
Primary objective: To identify a reduction in mild to moderate influenza disease (MMID) defined as the presence of viral shedding and clinical influenza symptoms.
Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center, phase IIb efficacy and safety trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT03180801, EudraCT: 2016-002134-74)
Setting: hVIVO Services Ltd (London, UK)
Participants: 153 healthy individuals 18-55 years.
Intervention: One or two doses of adjuvanted FLU-v or adjuvanted placebo subcutaneously on days-43 and-22, prior to intranasal challenge on day 0 with the A/California/04/2009/H1N1 human influenza A challenge virus.
Results: Single dose adjuvanted FLU-v recipients (n=40) were significantly less likely to develop MMID after challenge vs placebo (n=42) (32.5% vs 54.8% p=0.035).
Primary Funding Source: This research was funded in part by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, NIAID as well as a CRADA with SEEK
Registration: NCT03180801, EudraCT: 2016-002134-74
For further information please contact
Open Orphan plc
Cathal Friel, Executive Chairman +353 (0)1 644 0007
Trevor Phillips, Chief Executive Officer +44 (0)20 7347 5350
Arden Partners plc (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker) +44 (0)20 7614 5900
John Llewellyn-Lloyd / Benjamin Cryer
Davy (Euronext Growth Adviser and Joint Broker) +353 (0)1 679 6363
Anthony Farrell
Camarco (Financial PR) +44 (0)20 3757 4980
Tom Huddart / Daniel Sherwen
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Notes to Editors:
Open Orphan is a rapidly growing specialist CRO pharmaceutical services company which has a focus on orphan drugs and is a world leader in the provision of virology and vaccine challenge study services and viral laboratory services. It has Europe’s only 24-bedroom quarantine clinic with onsite virology lab in Queen Mary’s Hospital London. hVIVO supports product development for customers developing antivirals, vaccines and respiratory therapeutics, all particularly relevant and topical in the environment of heightened awareness of the Coronavirus in 2020. The Company also has a leading portfolio of 8 viral challenge study models which are: 2 FLU, 2 RSV, 1 HRV, 1 Asthma, 1 cough and 1 COPD viral challenge models. No other company in the world has such a portfolio, with only two competitors globally having 1 challenge study model each.
Open Orphan comprises of two commercial specialist CRO services businesses (Venn and hVIVO) and is developing an early stage orphan drug genomics data platform business. This platform captures valuable genetic data from patient populations with specific diseases with designated orphan drug status and incorporating AI tools. In June 2019, Open Orphan acquired AIM-listed Venn Life Sciences Holdings plc in a reverse take-over and in January 2020 it completed the merger with hVIVO plc. Venn, as an integrated drug development consultancy, offers CMC (chemistry, manufacturing and controls), preclinical, Phase I & II clinical trials design and execution. The merger with hVIVO created a European full pharma services company broadening the Company’s customer base and with complementary specialist CRO services, widened the range of the Company’s service offerings
BRR Media – Cathal Friel & hVIVO Chief Scientist Andrew Catchpole discuss the Coronavirus Challenge Study and the FLU-V Vaccine
Cathal Friel & hVIVO Chief Scientist Andrew Catchpole discuss recent developments and the Coronavirus Challenge Study and the FLU-V Vaccine with the BRR Media team.
Proactive Investors – Open Orphan #ORPH catching global attention with ‘stunning’ FLU-v results & world-first coronavirus study
Open Orphan PLC‘s (LON:ORPH) Cathal Friel and its subsidiary hVIVO’s chief scientist Dr Andrew Catchpole sat down with Proactive London’s Andrew Scott.
This morning Open Orphan announced the results from a clinical trial of a broad-spectrum flu jab that they’re jointly developing have been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The data from the FLU-v 003 phase IIb study of the FLU-v vaccine appeared in the Annals of Internal Medicine periodical.
Also this week hVIVO began developing the world’s first human coronavirus challenge study.
hVIVO owns Europe’s only quarantine clinic with an onsite virology lab where the challenge model will be developed and used.
Open Orphan #ORPH – Publication of Positive Results in Journal
Positive results from Phase IIb field study of FLU-v vaccine (FLU-v 003), which has been developed by Imutex Limited, hVIVO’s 49% joint venture with the SEEK Group. FLU-v is a first-in-class ‘universal’, broad spectrum, standalone, influenza vaccine candidate and the results have now been published in a peer review journal
- The publication in the Annals of Internal Medicine journal concluded adjuvanted FLU-v is immunogenic and merits Phase III development to explore efficacy
- Compelling data package from two Phase II studies shows that a single dose of adjuvanted FLU-v induces cellular and antibody responses (FLU-v 003) and that it has a clinical impact in reducing disease, symptom and viral load (FLU-v 004)
- Imutex currently scheduling meetings with key regulatory authorities, FDA and EMEA, hoping to gain confirmation of the remaining development pathway to approval for FLU-v
10 March 2020: Open Orphan plc (ORPH) the rapidly growing specialist CRO pharmaceutical services company which has a focus on orphan drugs and is a world leader in the provision of virology and vaccine challenge study services, today announces publication of positive results of a Phase IIb field study of FLU-v 003 (Study 003, NCT02962908) in the Annals of Internal Medicine journal. The headline results from this study were previously announced by hVIVO on 18 June 2018. FLU-v is being developed by Imutex Limited, hVIVO’s 49% joint venture with the SEEK Group.
The Primary and secondary endpoints were achieved in a Phase IIb study, done within the UNISEC* Consortium and funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7). 175 healthy adults were randomly assigned to either an injection of adjuvanted (1 dose) or nonadjuvanted (2 doses) FLU-v or adjuvanted or nonadjuvanted placebo to compare the safety, immune response, and exploratory efficacy of different formulations and dosing regimens. They found that a single dose of adjuvanted FLU-v elicited a greater immune response compared with placebo. Adverse events were mostly mild to moderate injection site reactions. The authors conclude that a Phase III trial is warranted to explore efficacy.
*Universal Influenza Vaccines Secured, European Union funded consortium for the advancement of universal influenza vaccines.
Trevor Phillips, CEO of Open Orphan, said:
“FLU-v is a universal influenza vaccine that targets conserved internal regions of the flu virus. There have been two positive Phase II studies; FLU-v 003, testing immunogenicity and FLU-v004, testing efficacy in a human challenge study. Both Phase II studies, FLU-v 003 and FLU-v 004 are externally supported by UNISEC and NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health) respectively which gives strong external endorsement from key EU and US organisations. The full results from this positive Phase II immunogenicity study underscores both our, and our partner SEEK’s, confidence in the potential of FLU-v as a universal flu vaccine.
The advantages of FLU-v over the seasonal flu vaccine are that the composition of the FLU-v vaccine will remain the same year after year and it is manufactured synthetically, enabling year-round manufacturing and thus, increasing the number of doses available worldwide. It will not be subject to a strict vaccination window as is the case with seasonal flu vaccines. Also, being a universal vaccine, it should provide protection against new strains of flu virus which the seasonal flu vaccine is not able to do.
Imutex continues to explore options for the FLU-v vaccine programme and is scheduling meetings with key regulatory authorities, FDA and EMEA, hoping to gain further insight into Phase III preparation, a key area of interest expressed by potential partners.”
Cathal Friel, Executive Chairman of Open Orphan, said:
“The market potential for a broad spectrum universal influenza vaccine is significant and has become increasingly important and valuable in recent weeks when governments around the world are finally waking up and realising that universal flu vaccines need to be commercialised and there must be a better way forward than reliance on the traditional annual flu vaccination process which has variable efficacy, offers little protection against emerging strains and is available in limited quantities. A universal flu vaccine can and should be targeted at the entire population base. We now await publication of the positive results data from the NIAID FLU-v study (004) in a peer reviewed journal while still focusing on the Company’s strategy of achieving profitability in the near term and as we target the rapidly growing CRO pharmaceutical services sector.
As previously announced to the market, the newly enlarged Open Orphan group, of which hVIVO is a subsidiary of, is now very much targeted upon delivering a profitable pharmaceutical services business and will no longer be spending shareholders’ funds on the drug discovery processes. The additional investment or cost associated with commercialising FLU-v, will come from out-licencing the final stages including Phase III trials of FLU-v’s study, to major international pharmaceutical companies, in Europe, North America, and very importantly also in China. But we are increasingly excited about FLU-v potentially finally entering phase III clinical trials and now is one of the most opportune times to be doing that. “
Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M19-0735
Immunogenicity, Safety, and Efficacy of a Standalone Universal Influenza Vaccine, FLU-v, in Healthy Adults
A Randomized Clinical Trial
Background: FLU-v is a broad-spectrum influenza vaccine that induces antibodies and cell-mediated immunity.
Objective: To compare the safety, immunogenicity, and exploratory efficacy of different formulations and dosing regimens of FLU-v versus placebo.
Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single center phase 2b clinical trial. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02962908; EudraCT: 2015-001932-38
Setting: The Netherlands.
Participants: 175 healthy adults aged 18 to 60 years.
Intervention: 0.5-mL subcutaneous injection of 500 μg of adjuvanted (1 dose) or nonadjuvanted (2 doses) FLU-v (A-FLU-v or NA-FLU-v) or adjuvanted or nonadjuvanted placebo (A-placebo or NA-placebo) (2:2:1:1 ratio).
Measurements: Vaccine-specific cellular responses at days 0, 42, and 180 were assessed via flow cytometry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Solicited information on adverse events (AEs) was collected for 21 days after vaccination. Unsolicited information on AEs was collected throughout the study.
Results: The AEs with the highest incidence were mild to moderate injection site reactions. The difference between A-FLU-v and A-placebo in the median fold increase in secreted interferon--γ (IFN-γ) was 38.2-fold (95% CI, 4.7- to 69.7-fold; P = 0.001) at day 42 and 25.0-fold (CI, 5.7- to 50.9-fold; P < 0.001) at day 180. The differences between A-FLU-v and A-placebo in median fold increase at day 42 were 4.5-fold (CI, 2.3- to 9.8-fold; P <0.001) for IFN-γ -producing CD4+ T cells, 4.9-fold (CI, 1.3- to 40.0-fold; P < 0.001) for tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), 7.0-fold (CI, 3.5- to 18.0-fold; P < 0.001) for interleukin-2 (IL-2), and 1.7-fold (CI, 0.1- to 4.0-fold; P = 0.004) for CD107a. At day 180, differences were 2.1-fold (CI, 0.0- to 6.0-fold; P = 0.030) for IFN-γ and 5.7-fold (CI, 2.0- to 15.0-fold; P < 0.001) for IL-2, with no difference for TNF-α or CD107a. No differences were seen between NA-FLU-v and NA-placebo.
Limitation: The study was not powered to evaluate vaccine efficacy against influenza infection.
Conclusion: Adjuvanted FLU-v is immunogenic and merits phase 3 development to explore efficacy.
Primary Funding Source: SEEK and the European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Member States within the UNISEC (Universal Influenza Vaccines Secured) project.
Ann Intern Med. doi:10.7326/M19-0735
For further information please contact
Open Orphan plc
Cathal Friel, Executive Chairman +353 (0)1 644 0007
Trevor Phillips, Chief Executive Officer +44 (0)20 7347 5350
Arden Partners plc (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker) +44 (0)20 7614 5900
John Llewellyn-Lloyd / Benjamin Cryer
Davy (Euronext Growth Adviser and Joint Broker) +353 (0)1 679 6363
Anthony Farrell
Camarco (Financial PR) +44 (0)20 3757 4980
Tom Huddart / Daniel Sherwen
Notes to Editors:
Open Orphan is a rapidly growing specialist CRO pharmaceutical services company which has a focus on orphan drugs and is a world leader in the provision of virology and vaccine challenge study services and viral laboratory services. It has Europe’s only 24-bedroom quarantine clinic with onsite virology lab in Queen Mary’s Hospital London. hVIVO supports product development for customers developing antivirals, vaccines and respiratory therapeutics, all particularly relevant and topical in the environment of heightened awareness of the Coronavirus in 2020. The Company also has a leading portfolio of 8 viral challenge study models which are: 2 FLU, 2 RSV, 1 HRV, 1 Asthma, 1 cough and 1 COPD viral challenge models. No other company in the world has such a portfolio, with only two competitors globally having 1 challenge study model each.
Open Orphan comprises of two commercial specialist CRO services businesses (Venn and hVIVO) and is developing an early stage orphan drug genomics data platform business. This platform captures valuable genetic data from patient populations with specific diseases with designated orphan drug status and incorporating AI tools. In June 2019, Open Orphan acquired AIM-listed Venn Life Sciences Holdings plc in a reverse take-over and in January 2020 it completed the merger with hVIVO plc. Venn, as an integrated drug development consultancy, offers CMC (c hemistry, manufacturing and controls) , preclinical, Phase I & II clinical trials design and execution. The merger with hVIVO created a European full pharma services company broadening the Company’s customer base and with complementary specialist CRO services, widened the range of the Company’s service offerings.