A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of Two Doses of a Novel H5 Central Antigen mRNA-LNP in Healthy Adults

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Status and phase: Active, not recruiting; Phase 1

Conditions: Avian Influenza

Treatments: Other: Sodium Chloride, 0.9%; Biological: H5 AC-Anhui RNA Vaccine; Biological: H5 Astrakhan RNA Vaccine

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: NIH

Identifiers

NCT07019883

24-0024

Details and patient eligibility

About

This is a phase 1, multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial of two influenza A/H5 mRNA-based vaccines on healthy adult participants, 18-49 years of age. Stage 1 will serve as the open-label, dose finding stage. The first 10 participants will receive 12.5 mcg of H5 AC-Anhui RNA vaccine (Group 1), and the second 10 participants will receive 25 mcg of H5 AC-Anhui RNA vaccine (Group 2). After Protocol Safety Review Team (PSRT) review of reactogenicity and safety data through Day 8 for both Groups 1 and 2, another 10 participants may be enrolled to receive 50 mcg of H5 AC-Anhui RNA vaccine (Group 3). Safety data from 7 days after dose 2 for Groups 1 and 2 participants will be reviewed by the PSRT prior to clearing Group 3 participants for the second dose of vaccine. Individual participants will be followed for approximately 6 months following the second dose of vaccine. The primary objective is to assess the safety of two doses of H5 AC-Anhui RNA vaccine or H5-Astrakhan RNA vaccine administered intramuscularly in healthy adults (18-49 years). Once the Day 36 data from Group 3 are reviewed by the PSRT, a dose will be chosen (12.5 mcg, 25 mcg, or 50 mcg) for advancement to Stage 2 where 50 participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either H5 AC-Anhui RNA (Group 4) or H5 Astrakhan RNA (Group 5) in a double-blinded manner.

Full description

This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial of two influenza A/H5 mRNA-based vaccines. The trial population consists of healthy adult participants, 18-49 years of age. Stage 1 will serve as the open-label, dose finding stage. The first 10 participants will receive 12.5 mcg of H5 AC-Anhui RNA vaccine (Group 1), and the second 10 participants will receive 25 mcg of H5 AC-Anhui RNA vaccine (Group 2). These groups will be enrolled sequentially without pause unless study halting rules are triggered. After Protocol Safety Review Team (PSRT) review of reactogenicity and safety data through Day 8 for both Groups 1 and 2, another 10 participants may be enrolled to receive 50 mcg of H5 AC-Anhui RNA vaccine (Group 3). Safety data from Day 36 (7 days after dose 2) for Groups 1 and 2 participants will be reviewed by the PSRT prior to clearing Group 3 participants for the second dose of vaccine. Once the Day 36 data from Group 3 are reviewed by the PSRT, a dose will be chosen (12.5 mcg, 25 mcg, or 50 mcg) for advancement to Stage 2 where 50 participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either H5 AC-Anhui RNA (Group 4) or H5 Astrakhan RNA (Group 5) in a double-blinded manner. Participants will be randomized on the day of enrollment. Screening and enrollment can occur on the same day. Individual participants will be followed for approximately 6 months following the second dose of vaccine.

The primary objective is to assess the safety of two doses of H5 AC-Anhui RNA vaccine or H5-Astrakhan RNA vaccine administered intramuscularly in healthy adults (18-49 years). The secondary objective is to assess the serum antibody responses to H5 AC-Anhui RNA vaccine or H5-Astrakhan RNA vaccine.

Enrollment: 80 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 49 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Provides written informed consent prior to the initiation of any trial procedures

2. Can understand and agrees to comply with all planned trial procedures and be available for all study visits

3. Adult volunteers, age 18-49 years, inclusive, at time of enrollment.

4. In good general health.* * Good health is defined by the absence of a medical condition described in the exclusion criteria. If the participant has another current, ongoing medical condition, the condition cannot meet any of the following criteria:

   1. was first diagnosed within 3 months of enrollment with a clinically significant condition, in the opinion of investigator
   2. had non-elective surgery, clinically significant medical procedure, or hospitalization within 3 months of enrollment;
   3. received new prescription for systemic medication within 30 days of enrollment, unless the new prescription is in the same class of agent or a transition from generic to/from brand name equivalent; or
   4. takes medication that may pose a risk to participant's safety or impede assessment of adverse events or study endpoints if they participate in the study.

5. Participants of childbearing potential* must agree to use or have practiced true abstinence** or use at least one acceptable primary form of contraception.*** *These criteria apply to females who are in a heterosexual relationship who are of childbearing potential. Participants not of childbearing potential include post-menopausal females (defined as having a history of amenorrhea for at least one year) or a documented status as being surgically sterile (hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, tubal ligation/salpingectomy, or permanently implanted contraceptive device placement).

   **True abstinence is complete lack of penile-vaginal intercourse. Periodic abstinence [e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post-ovulation methods] and withdrawal are not acceptable methods.

   ***Acceptable forms of primary contraception include monogamous relationship with a vasectomized partner who has been vasectomized for 180 days or more prior to the participant's vaccination; intrauterine devices; birth control pills; and injectable/implantable/insertable/transdermal hormonal birth control products. Participants must have used >/=1 acceptable primary form of contraception for at least 30 days prior to vaccination and agree to continue >/=1 acceptable primary form of contraception through 60 days after last vaccination.

6. Must agree to refrain from donating blood or blood products during the first 6 months of the study

7. Body mass index (BMI) 18 kg/m^2 to 35 kg/m^2, inclusive, and a weight of 130 kg or less at the time of screening

Exclusion criteria

1. Positive pregnancy test at screening or prior to vaccine dose

2. Participant who is lactating

3. Presence of a significant psychiatric condition that, in the opinion of the site Principal Investigator (PI) or appropriate sub-investigator, precludes study participation

4. History of drug abuse or alcohol abuse within 6 months of enrollment that, in the opinion of the site PI or appropriate sub-investigator, precludes study participation

5. Has a significant acute illness (with or without fever), as determined by the site PI or appropriate sub-investigator, within 72 hours prior to dosing* *If the participant meets all other eligibility criteria, they may be enrolled and dosed once they meet this eligibility criterion. If the illness resolves within the 28-day screening window, they do not need to be rescreened, otherwise they will need to be rescreened

6. Currently enrolled in or plans to participate in another clinical trial with an investigational agent

7. Has a history of anaphylaxis to any drug compound, vaccine, food, or other substance, unless approved by the Investigator (or designee)**

   **Sensitivity to components of the study product is exclusionary.

8. Received any live-attenuated or mRNA vaccine in the 28 days prior or any other vaccine in the 14 days prior to study vaccination

9. Has used any prohibited medication within 30 days prior to Day 1 or plans to use prohibited medications*** through Day 57

   ***Prohibited medications include systemic immunosuppressive drugs, immune modulators (except acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), oral corticosteroids, and systemic antineoplastic agents. Topical, inhaled, and intranasal steroids, as well as topical anti-neoplastic agents are acceptable

10. Abnormal blood pressure or temperature (Grade 1 or higher) at time of vaccination

    ****Grade 1 or higher is equivalent to: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) > 140 mmHg or < 90 mmHg Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > 90 mmHg Oral temperature >/= 38.0 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit)

11. Abnormal heart rate (Grade 2 or higher) at time of vaccination

12. Known and current human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, based on medical history

13. Extended exposure (e.g., occupational or home exposure) to cattle or poultry since March 1, 2024

14. Ingestion of non-pasteurized milk since March 1, 2024, or plans to drink non-pasteurized milk during participation in the trial

15. Prior receipt of an influenza A/H5 vaccine

16. History of myocarditis or pericarditis

17. Has any medical disease or condition***** that, in the opinion of the site PI or appropriate sub-investigator, precludes study participation****** *****Medical conditions include, but are not limited to, kidney disease with creatinine clearance < 89 mL/min/1.73 cm2 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration method (CKD-EPI); known active liver disease; ischemic heart disease, clinically significant cardiac conduction disorder, arrythmia requiring treatment, congenital long QT syndrome, uncompensated heart failure; diabetes requiring insulin; neuropathy or myopathy; history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome; and malignancy (not including squamous cell skin cancer, basal cell skin cancer, or cervical lowgrade squamous intraepithelial lesions) ******Participation may be precluded due to safety concern or inability to adequately evaluate clinical trial endpoints.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Sequential Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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80 participants in 5 patient groups

Stage 1 Group 1

Experimental group

Description:

Healthy male and non-pregnant female participants, ages 18 to 49, will be administered two intramuscular doses of H5 Antigenically Central (AC)-Anhui RNA Vaccine at 12.5 mcg on days 1 and 29. N=10

Treatment:

Biological: H5 AC-Anhui RNA Vaccine

Other: Sodium Chloride, 0.9%

Stage 1 Group 2

Experimental group

Description:

Healthy male and non-pregnant female participants, ages 18 to 49, will be administered two intramuscular doses of H5 AC-Anhui RNA Vaccine at 25 mcg on days 1 and 29. N=10

Treatment:

Biological: H5 AC-Anhui RNA Vaccine

Other: Sodium Chloride, 0.9%

Stage 1 Group 3

Experimental group

Description:

After the Protocol Safety Review Team (PSRT) reviews the reactogenicity and safety data, through Day 8, for both Stage 1 Group 1 and Stage 1 Group 2, healthy male and non-pregnant female participants, ages 18 to 49, will be administered two intramuscular doses of H5 AC-Anhui RNA Vaccine at 50 mcg on days 1 and 29. N=10

Treatment:

Biological: H5 AC-Anhui RNA Vaccine

Other: Sodium Chloride, 0.9%

Stage 2 Group 4

Experimental group

Description:

Following the Day 36 Stage 1 Group 3 data review by the Protocol Safety Review Team (PSRT), healthy male and non-pregnant female participants, ages 18 to 49, will be administered two intramuscular doses of H5 AC-Anhui RNA Vaccine at 25 mcg on days 1 and 29. N=25

Treatment:

Biological: H5 AC-Anhui RNA Vaccine

Other: Sodium Chloride, 0.9%

Stage 2 Group 5

Experimental group

Description:

Following the Day 36 Stage 1 Group 3 data review by the Protocol Safety Review Team (PSRT), healthy male and non-pregnant female participants, ages 18 to 49, will be administered two intramuscular doses of H5 Astrakhan RNA Vaccine at 25 mcg on days 1 and 29. N=25

Treatment:

Biological: H5 Astrakhan RNA Vaccine

Other: Sodium Chloride, 0.9%