Assessment of Safety and Immunogenicity of a Single Vial Presentation of R21/Matrix-M and Co-Administration With EPI Vaccines

A Phase Ib Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of R21/Matrix-M in a Single and Two Vial Presentation, With Different Immunisation Schedules, and When Co-Administered With EPI Vaccines in African Children

This is a Phase Ib trial conducted in Bougouni, Mali to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of R21/Matrix-M in a single and two vial presentation, with different immunisation schedules, and when co-administered with EPI vaccines in African children.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Malaria
• Intervention / Treatment: Biological: R21/Matrix-M - two vial formulation; Biological: R21/Matrix-M - single vial formulation; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Measles-rubella; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Yellow fever; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Pentavalent (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Hib); Biological: Licensed vaccine - Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV); Biological: Licensed vaccine - Rotavirus; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Pneumococcal vaccine; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV)

Detailed Description

This trial has six groups. This will be a double-blind, individually randomised trial, with 1:1 randomisation with the single or two vial presentation of R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine for study groups 1, 2 and 3. Groups 1, 2 and 3 are to assess the safety and immunogenicity of R21/Matrix-M as a single vial formulation compared with a two-vial formulation, in children aged 5- 36 months, in a malaria endemic area. The age range of 5-36 months has been split into three groups to ensure an even age spread across age groups.

For groups 4 and 5, this is a randomised, open-label study to assess the safety and immunogenicity of R21/Matrix-M when co-administrated with various EPI vaccines at the relevant ages, in a malaria endemic area.

Group 6 is a randomised, open-label study to assess safety and immunogenicity of a delayed, third dose of R21/Matrix-M in 5-36 month old children, in a malaria endemic area.

For groups 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, participants will be randomised 1:1. For group 4, participants will be randomised 3:3:1.

Approximately 590 children will be recruited across these six study groups.

The primary study objectives are:

Safety

• To assess the safety and reactogenicity of R21/Matrix-M, as a single- vial formulation in 5-36-month old African children.
• To assess the safety and reactogenicity of co-administration of R21/Matrix-M with the EPI vaccines given at 9 months, measles-rubella and yellow fever vaccines, in African children.
• To assess the safety and reactogenicity of co-administration of R21/Matrix-M with the EPI vaccines given at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age, pentavalent and oral polio vaccine (OPV), in African children.

Immunogenicity

• To assess the immunogenicity of R21/Matrix-M, as a single- vial formulation in 5-36-month-old African children, compared with the two-vial formulation.
• To assess the immunogenicity of EPI vaccines given at 9 months, measles-rubella and yellow fever vaccines, when given with and without R21/Matrix-M
• To assess the immunogenicity of EPI vaccines given at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age, pentavalent and oral polio vaccines, given as part of EPI at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age, when given with and without R21/Matrix-M.

The secondary study objectives are:

• To assess the safety and reactogenicity of R21/Matrix-M, as a single- vial formulation in African children compared with the two-vial formulation.
• To assess the safety and reactogenicity of a delayed third dose of R21/Matrix-M in 5-36-month-old African children.
• To assess the immunogenicity of a delayed third dose of R21/Matrix-M in 5-36-month-old African children.

This trial is funded by the Serum Institute of India.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 594
• Phase: Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Mali
  • Bamako, Mali
    • Malaria Research & Training Center, Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako
• United Kingdom
  • Oxford, United Kingdom
    • CCVTM, University of Oxford

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 1 month to 3 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria at study entry:

• Age:

  • Group 1: The child is 5-11 months of age at the time of randomization (i.e. up to the day before of their first birthday).
  • Group 2: The child is 12-23 months of age at the time of randomization (i.e. up to the day before of their second birthday).
  • Group 3: The child is 24-36 months of age at the time of randomization (i.e. up to the day of their third birthday).
  • Group 4: The child is 6-7 months of age at the time of randomization.
  • Group 5: The child is 6 weeks of age at the time of randomization and have not received any dose of the pentavalent vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, rotavirus vaccine, IPV and only the first dose of the OPV.
  • Group 6: The child is aged 5-36 months at the time of their first vaccination
• Signed informed consent/thumb-printed and witnessed informed consent obtained from the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the child to join the trial.
• The investigator believes that the parents/guardians can and will comply with the requirements of the protocol if the child is enrolled in the study.
• The child is a permanent resident of the study area and likely to remain a resident for the duration of the trial.

Exclusion Criteria at study entry:

• The child has previously received a malaria vaccine.
• The child is enrolled in another malaria intervention trial that could interfere with the results of this study.
• The child has a history of allergic disease or reactions likely to be exacerbated by any component of the study vaccines.
• The child has a history of allergic reactions, significant IgE-mediated events or anaphylaxis to previous immunisations.
• The child has major congenital defects.
• The child has anaemia associated with clinical signs of symptoms of decompensation, or a haemoglobin of ≤7.4 g/dL.
• The child has had a blood transfusion within one month of enrolment.
• The child has been administered immunoglobulins and/or any blood products within the three months preceding the planned administration of the vaccine candidate.
• The child has malnutrition requiring hospital admission.
• The child has an acute or chronic, clinically significant pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological, skin, hepatic or renal functional abnormality, as determined by medical history, physical examination or laboratory tests.
• Any confirmed or suspected immunosuppressive or immunodeficient state, including HIV or asplenia.
• The child has received an investigational drug or vaccine other than the study vaccines within 30 days preceding the first dose of study vaccine, or planned use during the study period.
• The child is currently participating in another clinical trial if likely to affect data interpretation of this trial
• The child has any significant disease, disorder or situation which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the participants at risk because of participation in the trial, or may influence the result of the trial, or the participant's ability to participate in the trial.
• Clinically significant laboratory abnormality as judged by the study clinician
• For group 5 only: the child has received any dose of the pentavalent vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, rotavirus vaccine, IPV or has received more than one dose of the OPV.

Exclusion criteria during the study (to be checked prior to each vaccination):

• Any significant disease, disorder or situation which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the participants at risk because of participation in the trial, or may influence the result of the trial, or the participant's ability to participate in the trial.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

9

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Groups 1a, 2a and 3a; 60 children, aged 5-36 months, who will receive 4 doses of 5µg R21/50µg Matrix-M as a two vial formulation. The first three doses will be given one month apart, followed by a booster vaccination 12 months after the third dose. The age range of 5-36 months has been split into three groups to ensure an even age spread across age groups. Group 1a is 20 children aged 5-11 months, group 2a is 20 children aged 12-23 months, and group 3a is 20 children aged 24-36 months.	Biological: R21/Matrix-M - two vial formulation; Adjuvanted malaria vaccine in a double vial formulation
Experimental: Group 1b, 2b and 3b; 60 children, aged 5-36 months, who will receive 4 doses of 5µg R21/50µg Matrix-M as a single vial formulation. The first three doses will be given one month apart, followed by a booster vaccination 12 months after the third dose. The age range of 5-36 months has been split into three groups to ensure an even age spread across age groups. Group 1b is 20 children aged 5-11 months, group 2b is 20 children aged 12-23 months, and group 3b is 20 children aged 24-36 months.	Biological: R21/Matrix-M - single vial formulation; Adjuvanted malaria vaccine in a single vial formulation
Experimental: Group 4a; 150 participants, aged 6-7 months at the time of randomisation (to ensure third vaccination is given at approximately 9 months), who will receive 3 doses of 5µg R21/50µg Matrix-M one month apart. At the time of the third dose they will receive their measles-rubella and yellow fever vaccinations at the same time as R21/Matrix-M.	Biological: R21/Matrix-M - single vial formulation; Adjuvanted malaria vaccine in a single vial formulation; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Measles-rubella; Licensed vaccine part of the EPI vaccination schedule; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Yellow fever; Licensed vaccine part of the EPI vaccination schedule
Active Comparator: Group 4b; 150 participants, aged 6-7 months at the time of randomisation, who will receive a measles-rubella and yellow fever vaccination 2 months after randomisation.	Biological: Licensed vaccine - Measles-rubella; Licensed vaccine part of the EPI vaccination schedule; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Yellow fever; Licensed vaccine part of the EPI vaccination schedule
Experimental: Group 4c; Group 4c is 50 participants, aged 6-7 months at the time of randomisation, who will receive 3 doses of 5µg R21/50µg Matrix-M one month apart.	Biological: R21/Matrix-M - single vial formulation; Adjuvanted malaria vaccine in a single vial formulation
Experimental: Group 6a; 30 children, aged 5-36 months, who will receive 3 doses of 5µg R21/50µg Matrix-M. The first two doses one month apart and the third dose 6 months after the first dose.	Biological: R21/Matrix-M - single vial formulation; Adjuvanted malaria vaccine in a single vial formulation
Experimental: Group 6b; 30 children, aged 5-36 months, who will receive 3 doses of 5µg R21/50µg Matrix-M. The first two doses one month apart and the third dose 12 months after the first dose.	Biological: R21/Matrix-M - single vial formulation; Adjuvanted malaria vaccine in a single vial formulation
Experimental: Group 5a; 30 children who will receive 3 doses of 5µg R21/50µg Matrix-M, pentavalent, rotavirus, pneumococcal and OPV vaccines at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age. They will receive IPV two weeks following the third dose.	Biological: R21/Matrix-M - single vial formulation; Adjuvanted malaria vaccine in a single vial formulation; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Pentavalent (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Hib); Licensed vaccine part of the EPI vaccination schedule; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV); Licensed vaccine part of the EPI vaccination schedule; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Rotavirus; Licensed vaccine part of the EPI vaccination schedule; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Pneumococcal vaccine; Licensed vaccine part of the EPI vaccination schedule; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV); Licensed vaccine part of the EPI vaccination schedule
Active Comparator: Group 5b; 30 children who will receive 3 doses of pentavalent, rotavirus, pneumococcal and OPV vaccines at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age. They will receive IPV two weeks following the third dose.	Biological: Licensed vaccine - Pentavalent (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Hib); Licensed vaccine part of the EPI vaccination schedule; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV); Licensed vaccine part of the EPI vaccination schedule; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Rotavirus; Licensed vaccine part of the EPI vaccination schedule; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Pneumococcal vaccine; Licensed vaccine part of the EPI vaccination schedule; Biological: Licensed vaccine - Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV); Licensed vaccine part of the EPI vaccination schedule

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Safety	Solicited adverse events: Occurrence of solicited local reactogenicity signs and symptoms for 7 days following the vaccination.; Occurrence of solicited systemic reactogenicity signs and symptoms for 7 days following the vaccination. Unsolicited adverse events; Occurrence of unsolicited adverse events for 28 days following the vaccination. Laboratory adverse events; Change from baseline for safety laboratory measures thought to be clinically significant. Serious adverse events • Occurrence of serious adverse events for the whole study duration.	2 years
Immunogenicity	To assess the humoral immunogenicity of R21/Matrix-M as a single- vial formulation in 5-36-month-old African children, compared with the two-vial formulation, 0, 30, 180 and 365 days after the administration of the third dose of R21/Matrix-M; and 0, 30, 180 and 365 days after the administration of a booster dose.; To assess the humoral immunogenicity of EPI vaccines given at 9 months, measles-rubella and yellow fever vaccines, when given with and without R21/Matrix-M, 0, 30, 180 and 360 days after the administration of the third dose of R21/Matrix-M; To assess the humoral immunogenicity of EPI vaccines given at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age, pentavalent and oral polio vaccines, given as part of EPI at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age, when given with and without R21/Matrix-M, 0, 30, 180 and 360 days after the administration of the third dose of R21/Matrix-M or the EPI vaccines.	2 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Safety of a delayed third dose	Solicited adverse events: Occurrence of solicited local reactogenicity signs and symptoms for 7 days following the vaccination.; Occurrence of solicited systemic reactogenicity signs and symptoms for 7 days following the vaccination. Unsolicited adverse events; Occurrence of unsolicited adverse events for 28 days following the vaccination. Laboratory adverse events; Change from baseline for safety laboratory measures thought to be clinically significant. Serious adverse events • Occurrence of serious adverse events for the whole study duration.	2 years
Immunogenicity of a delayed third dose	• To assess the humoral immunogenicity of a delayed third dose of R21/Matrix-M in 5-36-month-old African children, at 30 and 180 days after administration of the second dose, and 0, 30, 180 and 360 days after the administration of the third dose of R21/Matrix-M	2 years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Oxford
• Collaborators: Malaria Research and Training Center, Bamako, Mali
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Adrian Hill, University of Oxford

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 14, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 27, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): May 27, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 9, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 9, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): December 13, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 8, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 7, 2026
• Last Verified: September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Vector Borne Diseases; Mosquito-Borne Diseases; Infections; Protozoan Infections; Parasitic Diseases; Malaria; Biological Products; Complex Mixtures; Vaccines; Toxoids; Viral Vaccines; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines; Tetanus Toxoid; Hepatitis B Vaccines
• Other Study ID Numbers: VAC088

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No