# Open Orphan ‘Expect some quite substantial contracts’ says Cathal Friel (Interview)

- Link: https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/open-orphan-expect-some-quite-substantial-contracts-interview/412815452
- Published: 2020-04-24T08:22:56+01:00
- Author: Giles Arbor

**Open Orphan plc** ([LON:ORPH](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/company/open-orphan-plc/orph.l))
CEO Cathal Friel joins DirectorsTalk to discuss the testing of an anti-viral for
treating COVID-19. Cathal explains whats involved in the testing, the time frames
involved and what investors should expect over the coming months and weeks.

Open Orphan is a rapidly growing specialist CRO pharmaceutical services company 
which has a focus on orphan drugs and is a world leader in the provision of virology
and vaccine challenge study services and viral laboratory services. It has Europe’s
only 24-bedroom quarantine clinic with onsite virology lab in Queen Mary’s Hospital
London. hVIVO supports product development for customers developing antivirals, 
vaccines and respiratory therapeutics, all particularly relevant and topical in 
the environment of heightened awareness of Covid-19 in 2020. The Company also has
a leading portfolio of 8 viral challenge study models which are: 2 FLU, 2 RSV, 1
HRV, 1 Asthma, 1 cough and 1 COPD viral challenge models. As announced in early 
March, the company is rapidly advancing a Coronavirus challenge study model and 
expects to be very active with many companies in the development of a Covid-19 vaccine.
No other company in the world has such a portfolio, with only two competitors globally
having 1 challenge study model each.

Open Orphan comprises of two commercial specialist CRO services businesses (Venn
and hVIVO) and is developing an early stage orphan drug genomics data platform business.
This platform captures valuable genetic data from patient populations with specific
diseases with designated orphan drug status and incorporating AI tools. In June 
2019, the company acquired AIM-listed Venn Life Sciences Holdings plc in a reverse
take-over and in January 2020 it completed the merger with [hVIVO plc](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/company/hvivo-plc/hvo.l).
Venn, as an integrated drug development consultancy, offers CMC (chemistry, manufacturing
and controls), preclinical, Phase I & II clinical trials design and execution. The
merger with hVIVO created a European full pharma services company broadening the
Company’s customer base and with complementary specialist CRO services, widened 
the range of the Company’s service offerings.

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