Broker Cavendish reaffirmed its 42p price target for hVIVO PLC (AIM: HVO) stock after a capital markets day (CMD) at the company’s new state-of-the-art quarantine facility in Canary Wharf.
During the CMD, the contract research firm’s management highlighted the significant benefits of the new facility compared to the previous ones, including improved operational efficiencies and better experiences for volunteers and staff.
Cavendish noted that these operational efficiencies in the new bespoke space are expected to support margin expansion, a key factor in their positive outlook.
A key highlight of the presentation was the relevance and acceptance of human challenge trials (HCTs) by global biopharma companies and regulators. HCTs are essential to the clinical trial process, and hVIVO’s new facility is strategically positioned to meet this growing demand.
The company is also diversifying its revenue streams by offering services beyond HCTs, such as clinical trial design, patient recruitment, and the FluCamp platform, which has a database capable of screening 30,000 volunteers annually.
Furthermore, hVIVO recently secured a significant contract to operate a 1,000-volunteer site for a phase IIb influenza drug study, highlighting its expanding influence and capabilities in the industry.
Financial projections indicate promising growth, with revenue expected to increase from £36.9 million in 2021 to £67.4 million by 2025. The company is on track to achieve its £100 million revenue target by 2028, according to Cavendish.
In early afternoon trading, the stock was up 0.75p to 30p.
