A UK-based CRO specializing in human challenge trials says there is a big shift in industry sentiment towards such studies. Companies targeting infectious diseases are now actively accommodating challenge trials in their development plans instead of needing persuasion.

Some 50 experts and executives in the biopharma sector shared their views on the major trends they expect to see driving change in the clinical trials arena in 2024. Artificial intelligence applied to clinical development, greater use of remote monitoring and increased patient diversity in trials were key themes.

hVIVO, a specialist contract research organization, performs human challenge trials, helping pharma companies develop vaccines with greater efficiency. Chief scientific officer Andrew Catchpole recently spoke with In Vivo about what it takes to perform an effective human challenge study, how they keep study participants safe, and how the company is helping address the ongoing scourge of malaria.  

ENA Respiratory expects its "preventive" nasal spray, which primes innate immunity against respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2, to play a meaningful role in protecting at-risk populations and lowering community transmission of COVID-19. It plans to explore the potential of the broad-spectrum antiviral immunomodulator in other areas, including COPD, and wider partnering opportunities.