Open Orphan PLC said Wednesday that its hVIVO subsidiary has signed a 7.3 million pounds ($9.1 million) influenza human challenge study contract with an undisclosed biotechnology company.

The London-listed pharmaceutical-services and research company said it will test the biotechnology company’s antiviral product using hVIVO’s influenza human challenge study model.

The company said its virology laboratories will determine the viral load of the influenza challenge agent used to inoculate volunteers and that it will also provide serology services and virology services for the study.

The company said:

Since the advent of effective vaccines and treatments for Covid-19, there has been renewed focus on influenza and official data shows flu is now a more lethal threat. After completing the study, we hope to provide positive data and early proof of concept for our client’s product, in order to accelerate its development into a Phase II program.