A Clinical Trial of COVAC-1, a COVID-19 Vaccine, in Generally Healthy Adults

A Randomized, Observer-Blind, Dose-Escalation, Placebo-Controlled Phase 1 Clinical Trial of COVAC-1 in Generally Healthy Adults

VIDO has developed a vaccine called COVAC-1.

The study vaccine contains a portion of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, called S1. The spike protein is the part of the virus that is responsible for attaching to the surface of host cells. COVAC-1 contains an adjuvant called TriAdj. An adjuvant is a compound that is added to a vaccine to help the vaccine produce a better immune response. The TriAdj adjuvant is made up of three components (a toll-like receptor agonist polyI:C, an immunostimulatory host defense protein HDP IDR-1002 and a polyphosphazene carrier system, PCEP). The three components work together to improve the body's response to the S1 protein. The COVAC-1 vaccine is expected to stimulate the body to make antibodies against the S1 protein. The antibodies will recognize the viral spike protein if the body is exposed to the virus and prevent or reduce the severity of COVID-19 illness. In animal studies, the immune response generated by the COVAC-1 vaccine was able to protect the vaccinated animals against a severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Phase 1 is a multi-centred, multi-national trial of the COVAC-1 vaccine to be completed in Canada and Brazil. It will be a randomized, observer-blinded, and placebo-controlled study to assess the safety and immunogenicity of two dosing levels (25 and 50 µg S1 protein) administered twice (4 weeks apart) in healthy adults 18 through 54 years of age (Arm 1a) and 55 years of age and older (Arm 1b).

Enrolment and vaccination of participants will be staggered over time based on vaccine dose. Study participants aged 18 to 54 and those >55 years of age will commence in parallel at the starting dose of 25 ug and after approval by Sponsor based upon recommendations from the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), new study participants will be allowed to receive the higher dose of 50 ug. Approval will also be sought from Sponsor, based on recommendations provided by the DSMB, to proceed with the second dose in each dosing and age group.

Within the same age group, the 8 participants receiving the lower dose are randomized with 4 participants receiving placebo and the 8 participants receiving the highest dose are randomized with 4 participants receiving placebo.

Within each dose level of 12 participants, it is proposed to immunize a first cohort of 3 participants (including at least 2 active vaccine participants) and pending no holding rule is met after 48 hours, as determined by the 48-hour-post-dose 1 phone call, to immunize the remaining 9 participants within that dose level. Every attempt will be made to fully enroll all age groups.

Study Overview

• Status: Withdrawn
• Conditions: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
• Intervention / Treatment: Biological: Saline Placebo; Biological: COVAC-1

• Study Type: Interventional
• Phase: Phase 1

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Generally healthy male and female adults aged 18 years of age or older at the time of signing the informed consent form (i.e., 18 to 54 for Arm 1a and ≥55 for Arm 1b);
2. Good general health as determined by screening evaluation no greater than 30 days before injection of first dose; Note: Participants who are overtly healthy as determined by medical evaluation or are considered medically stable according to the judgment of the Investigator. A stable medical condition is defined as disease not requiring significant change in therapy or hospitalization for worsening disease during the 3 months prior to enrolment, and/or hospitalization within the entire study period is not anticipated. Also, the participant appears likely to be able to remain in follow-up through the end of protocol-specified period. Mild to moderate well-controlled comorbidities are allowed.
3. If female of child-bearing potential and heterosexually active, practice of adequate contraception for 30 days prior to injection, negative pregnancy test on the day of injection, and agreement to continue adequate contraception until 180 days after the second injection and;
4. Written informed consent, after review of the consent form and having adequate opportunity to discuss the study with an Investigator or a qualified designee.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of any febrile illness or any known or suspected acute illness on the day of any immunization;
2. Any immunodeficiency (congenital or acquired) disease, disorder, or finding that may significantly increase the risk of study participant or, in the Investigator's judgment, make the participant inappropriate for the study;
3. Clinically significant bleeding disorder (e.g., clotting factor deficiency, coagulopathy or platelet disorder), or prior history of significant bleeding or bruising following IM injections or venipuncture;
4. Receiving systemic immunosuppressive therapy or history of receiving chemotherapy in last 5 years other than topical agents;
5. Receipt of systemic glucocorticoids (a dose ≥ 20 mg/day prednisone or equivalent for 14 days) within 1 month, or any other cytotoxic or immunosuppressive drug within 6 months prior to injection of first dose;
6. Cancer diagnosis in the last 5 years, excluding basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, which are allowed;
7. Presence of autoimmune disease;
8. Receipt of any investigational drug within 6 months;
9. Receipt of any non-COVID-19 authorized vaccines within 2 weeks of receiving study dose injection;
10. Receipt of any authorized COVID-19 vaccine prior to study enrollment;
11. Receipt of any other experimental SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 or other experimental coronavirus vaccine(s) at any time prior to or during the study;
12. Receipt of blood products or immunoglobulin (IVIg or IMIg) within 3 months of study entry/baseline serologic evaluation;
13. Current anti-tuberculosis therapy;
14. History of any reaction or hypersensitivity likely to be exacerbated by any component of the study vaccine;
15. Hematologic or biochemical laboratory abnormalities (blood or urine), as defined by lab normal ranges. To exclude transient abnormalities, the Investigator may repeat a test once, and if the repeat test is normal according to local reference ranges, participant may be enrolled. Grade 1 abnormalities of laboratory values will not be exclusionary if considered not clinically significant by the Investigator. And;
16. Known current or previous laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-1 OR SARS-CoV-2 infection, as documented by a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test from a nasal swab OR known or laboratory-confirmed positive serology.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Sequential Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

8

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group A (18-54 yrs); COVAC-1 25 ug	Biological: COVAC-1; Intramuscular vaccine against SARS-CoV-2
Placebo Comparator: Group B (18-54 yrs); Placebo Control	Biological: Saline Placebo; Intramuscular injection of saline placebo
Experimental: Group C (18-54 yrs); COVAC-1 50 ug	Biological: COVAC-1; Intramuscular vaccine against SARS-CoV-2
Placebo Comparator: Group D (18-54 yrs); Placebo Control	Biological: Saline Placebo; Intramuscular injection of saline placebo
Experimental: Group E (55+ yrs); COVAC-1 25 ug	Biological: COVAC-1; Intramuscular vaccine against SARS-CoV-2
Placebo Comparator: Group F (55+ yrs); Placebo Control	Biological: Saline Placebo; Intramuscular injection of saline placebo
Experimental: Group G (55+ yrs); COVAC-1 50 ug	Biological: COVAC-1; Intramuscular vaccine against SARS-CoV-2
Placebo Comparator: Group H (55+ yrs); Placebo Control	Biological: Saline Placebo; Intramuscular injection of saline placebo

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Occurrence of adverse events (AEs) from the first injection to Day 28, in all participants, in all groups	The occurrence of each solicited local and general AE, during each 7-day follow-up period after injection (e.g., the day of injection and 6 subsequent days).; The occurrence of any unsolicited AEs for the entire study period.; The occurrence of any hematological (hemoglobin level, WBC, lymphocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil, and platelet count) and biochemical (ALT, AST, BUN, and Cr) clinically significant laboratory abnormality through to Day 28 and;; The occurrence of any serious AEs (SAEs) medically attended events (MAE), or adverse event of special interest (AESI).	Day 0 - 28
Occurrence of AEs from the second injection to Day 56 (28 days post injection), in all participants, in all groups	The occurrence of solicited local and general AE, during each 7-day follow-up period after the second injection (e.g., the day of 2nd injection and 6 subsequent days);; The occurrence of any unsolicited AEs for the entire study period and;; The occurrence of any hematological (hemoglobin level, WBC, lymphocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil, and platelet count) and biochemical (ALT, AST, BUN, and Cr) clinically significant laboratory abnormality through to Day 42.	Day 28 - 56

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Specific antibody response induced by the vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 S protein as measured by ELISA or measured by Neutralization Assay	The immune response to the study vaccine, as measured by antibody (e.g., IgG and other isotypes) directed to Wuhan spike antigen or neutralizing antibodies	Days 14, 28, 35, 42, 56, 90, 120, and 365
Specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) response induced by the vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus	The immune response to the study vaccine, as measured by cell immune response markers in PBMCs	Days 0, 14, 28, 35, 42, 120, and 365

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The specific antibody response induced by the vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein as measured by ELISA	The immune response to the study vaccine, as measured by antibody directed to RBD antigen	Days 0, 14, 28, 35, 42, 56, 90, 120, and 365
Specific neutralizing response induced by the vaccine against one or more Variant(s) of Concern	• The immune response to the study vaccine, as measured by neutralizing antibodies against Variant(s) of Concern	Days 0, 14, 28, 35, 42, 56, 90, 120, and 365

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Saskatchewan
• Collaborators: Government of Canada; Government of Saskatchewan
• Investigators: Study Director: Volker Gerdts, DVM, University of Saskatchewan

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Anticipated): June 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): June 1, 2023
• Study Completion (Anticipated): October 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 30, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 30, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): December 14, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 10, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 5, 2022
• Last Verified: August 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Coronavirus Infections; Coronaviridae Infections; Nidovirales Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Virus Diseases; Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
• Other Study ID Numbers: COVAC-002

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No