Hvivo client acquired by MSD in $9.2bn deal

(Sharecast News) - Contract research organisation Hvivo congratulated its client Cidara Therapeutics on Thursday after the US biotech firm agreed to be acquired by Merck Sharp & Dohme in a deal worth around $9.2bn. Hvivo said the transaction highlighted the value of its human challenge trial expertise in accelerating drug development, with the firm supporting the development of Cidara's CD388 candidate, a long‑acting, strain‑agnostic antiviral designed to prevent influenza infection in high‑risk individuals, from early proof‑of‑concept through to late‑stage studies.

The AIM-listed firm also acted as the only UK site in Cidara's Phase IIb field study during the 2024/25 flu season, enrolling more than 800 participants in six weeks, its largest field trial to date, with all primary and secondary endpoints met.

In addition, Hvivo has served as the central virology laboratory for both Phase IIb and Phase III studies, providing consultancy, managing global sample logistics and conducting key virology and immunology assays.

Chief executive Yamin Khan said: "We congratulate Cidara on this landmark transaction in the infectious disease space with MSD. For Hvivo, this demonstrates that our human challenge trial expertise can indeed lead to significant downstream value creation.

"It also validates Hvivo's diversification into field studies and standalone laboratory services, facilitated by our highly efficient patient recruitment and site services along with our extensive infectious disease knowledge and capabilities."

As of 0945 GMT, Hvivo shares were down 0.17% at 5.79p.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com