hVIVO

A world leader in providing human challenge studies to test infectious and respiratory products

Queen Mary Innovation » Spinouts » hVIVO

Prof John Oxford

Emeritus Professor of Virology

Founded in 1989 by John Oxford, a leading influenza expert and professor at Queen Mary, the company has grown to become the world leader in providing human challenge studies to test infectious and respiratory products.

Globally, hVIVO are transforming healthcare by revolutionising the drug development process through scientific ingenuity. Locally, in 2011 hVIVO opened their laboratory, screening and 24-bedroom quarantine facilities to Queen Mary BioEnterprises in Whitechapel. In 2021, they expanded their quarantine facilities (the Whitechapel Clinic) offering volunteers a state-of-the-art clinical trial experience. Since then, hVIVO have continued to invest in East London, with corporate offices on Plumbers Row and bigger laboratories.

The company reported a 52% jump in sales in the first half of 2023 as demand for clinical testing of vaccines and drugs for respiratory diseases continues to rise. hVIVO finished the year with a £6.3m contract to test a potential treatment for the common cold.

Why did you start your spinout?

Retroscreen, now hVIVO, was one of the first medical school companies, which I cofounded with an external business-oriented scientist. The idea was to help formalise collaborations with pharmaceutical companies when we first started screening for anti-HIV drugs. The company has since expanded into clinical trials, hence the name change.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurial academics?

I would advise interested academics to consider bringing in commercial expertise early on. We benefitted greatly from the appointment of two well-experienced advisors who helped raise finance. I enjoyed my time as Scientific Director, but a company has a life of its own and is a lot different from running research grants!