Seasonal influenza causes substantial global morbidity and mortality each year, and pandemic influenza remains an ongoing public‑health threat. As government agencies and academic, public and private organisations continue to prioritise universal and broad‑spectrum influenza vaccines, controlled human infection models using wild‑type strains are essential.
Proven Influenza Disease Models
Influenza B Human Challenge Model
Influenza B is an extremely important human pathogen and often respoinsible for as many hospitallisation as seasonal influena A infections.
Emerging evidence suggests increasing virulence in certain immunocompromised groups, including individuals with HIV. hVIVO’s well characterised, developed, world-first commercial Influenza B human challenge model produces high infection rates and febrile illness, ideal for studying both vaccines and influenza antivirals.
Applications: Vaccines, Antivirals and Immunomodulators.
Flu Vaccines – Challenges and Model Benefits
Field trials are constrained by variable exposure, strain variation and seasonal limitations. hVIVO’s models allow controlled exposure, exploration of correlates of protection and assessment of disease severity and symptom‑reduction endpoints.
Antivirals & Treatments
Early-phase antiviral assessment is hindered by unknown exposure timing and confounders. Challenge models enable precise dose‑timing evaluation, triggered dosing and consistent placebo comparison. They support antiviral resistance monitoring and are independent of flu season.
Immunomodulators
Human challenge studies allow pre‑infection baseline establishment, controlled dosing windows and detailed host‑response analysis, supporting both prophylactic and therapeutic evaluation.
[LINK TO INFLUENZA FACTSHEET]
hVIVO continues to publish findings from decades of influenza research and communicates updates for customers, researchers and investors.
Related Resources
From RSV to hMPV: Building the Next Generation of Respiratory Challenge Models
Controlled Human Infection Model's (CHIM) in your backpack: how Human Challenge Trials support regulatory approval of travel vaccines
Unravelling the hMPV Surge: From Media Attention to Vaccine Development
Why are Biotech’s & Pharma Using Human Challenge Studies for Drug Development?
Tripledemic Takedown: How Human Challenge Trials are Ideal to Expedite Multivalent Vaccine Development
Empowering Next‑Gen Infectious Disease & Vaccine Development
Human Challenge Studies: Their Conduct and Safety Aspects
Human Challenge Trials as a tool in raising funding
UK Life Sciences Sector Plan 2025: What it Means for the Future of Clinical Research
The UK Regulatory Competitiveness in an ever changing world
