This is a Phase 1/2/3, randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blind study designed to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of ARCT-154 in adult participants to be enrolled in Vietnam. This study consists of four parts: Part 1 (Phase 1) will evaluate the safety of the study vaccines in 100 healthy individuals. Part 2 (Phase 2) will evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the study vaccines in 300 healthy individuals. Part 3 (Phase 3a) will evaluate the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of the study vaccines in 600 individuals with and without underlying medical conditions. Part 4 (Phase 3b) will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the study vaccines in 16,000 individuals with and without underlying medical conditions. Part 5 (Phase 3c) will evaluate the safety and non-inferiority in immunogenicity of ARCT-154 vaccine vs. Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) in 2400 individuals with and without underlying medical conditions. In Phase 1, healthy individuals 18 to < 60 years of age will be enrolled. In Phase 2, 3a, and 3b, individuals 18 years of age and older will be enrolled including individuals with underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk of complications of COVID-19 disease. Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3a and Phase 3b participants will be randomly assigned to a study group that will receive up to 2 vaccination series. Each vaccination series comprises two vaccinations at 28-day intervals: an initial vaccination series with vaccinations on Day 1 and Day 29 and an additional vaccination series around 2 months after the first series (on Day 92 and 120). Participants of Phase 2, 3a who received 2 doses of ARCT-154 vaccine will be rerandomized to receive either dose 3 of ARCT-154 on Day 92 plus placebo on Day 120 or placebo on Day 92 plus placebo on Day 120. For Phase 1, Phase 3b and participants in Phase 2 and 3a that received placebo in the first vaccination series, the participants will be switched over to the opposite vaccine in the second series. There is no second vaccination series for Phase 3c as all participants receive active vaccine in the initial series.
Phase 1 will enroll 100 healthy participants that are randomly assigned 3:1 to receive
ARCT-154 or placebo (75:25) for the initial series of vaccinations.
In Phase 2, 300 participants will be randomly assigned 3:1 to receive ARCT-154 or placebo for
the initial series of vaccinations. Participants that received ARCT-154 in the initial series
will be rerandomized 3:1 to receive ARCT or placebo on Day 92 followed by placebo on Day 120.
In Phase 3a, 600 participants will be randomly assigned 3:1 to receive ARCT-154 or placebo
for the initial series of vaccinations. Participants that received ARCT-154 in the initial
series will be rerandomized 3:1 to receive ARCT or placebo on Day 92 followed by placebo on
Day 120.
In Phase 3b, ~16,000 participants will be randomly assigned 1:1 to receive ARCT-154 or
placebo for the initial series of vaccinations.
In Phase 3c, ~2,400 participants will be randomly assigned 1:1 to receive ARCT-154 or Astra
Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Blood samples will be collected and reserved for Immunogenicity
evaluation for the first 1500 participants (3c-1) and assays for immunogenicity evaluation
will be performed for the first 800 participants.
Phase 1 participants must be <60 years of age and healthy. Phase 2, 3a, and 3b and 3c
participants will include elderly (≥60 years) and those with comorbidities.
For Phase 2, 3a, 3b and 3c, prior to randomization, participants will be stratified by age (<
60 or ≥ 60 years of age) and for participants < 60 years of age by risk of severe COVID 19.
Participants will be followed up for approximately 1 year after completion of the initial
vaccination series.
An independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) will perform ongoing review of blinded
and unblinded data.
An independent blinded adjudication committee will adjudicate all suspected COVID-19 cases to
determine if they meet the primary endpoint requirements.
Biological: ARCT-154 Self-Amplifying RNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine
ARCT-154 Self-Amplifying RNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine
Other: Placebo (normal saline)
Normal saline with the same volume as of ARCT-154
Biological: Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine
Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19)
Inclusion Criteria:
Individuals who:
1. are able to provide consent
2. agree to comply with all study visits and procedures
3. are of childbearing potential and sexually active must be willing to adhere to
contraceptive requirements
4. are male or female ≥18 years of age (or, for Phase 1, 18 to < 60 years of age)
5. are at higher risk of developing COVID-19 based on where they work or live
Exclusion Criteria:
Individuals who:
1. Significant infection or other acute illness, including body temperature >100.4°F
(>38.0°C) on the day prior to or Day 1. Participants meeting this criterion may be
rescheduled within the relevant window periods. Afebrile participants with minor
illnesses can be enrolled at the discretion of the investigator.
2. Pregnant or breastfeeding.
3. Known history of COVID-19 (asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or nucleocapsid
positive test is not exclusionary).
4. Close contact with a person known to be SARS-CoV-2 positive or with a clinical
diagnosis of COVID-19 within 7 days prior to enrollment. Participants meeting this
criterion who remain asymptomatic for 7 days may be rescheduled for enrollment within
the relevant windows.
5. Known history of anaphylaxis, urticaria, or other significant adverse reaction to the
vaccine or its excipients.
6. Known history of anaphylaxis to other vaccines.
7. Bleeding disorder considered a contraindication to intramuscular (IM) injection or
phlebotomy.
8. Immunosuppressive or immunodeficient state, asplenia, recurrent severe infections, or
known to be HIV positive.
9. An underlying clinically significant acute or chronic medical condition or physical
examination findings for which, in the opinion of the investigator, participation
would not be in the best interest of the participant (eg, compromise the well-being)
or that could prevent, limit, or confound the protocol-specified assessments.
Prior/Concomitant Therapy
10. Has previously received investigational or approved MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2
vaccines or who have plans to receive off-study COVID-19 vaccines.
11. Has received a live replicating vaccine within 28 days prior to each study vaccination
or a licensed inactivated or non-replicating vaccine within 14 days prior to first
study vaccination.
12. Has received treatment with immunosuppressive therapy, including cytotoxic agents or
systemic corticosteroids, eg, for cancer or an autoimmune disease, within 6 months
prior to Screening, or planned receipt throughout the study. If systemic
corticosteroids have been administered short term (<14 days) for treatment of an acute
illness, participants should not be enrolled into the study until corticosteroid
therapy has been discontinued for at least 28 days prior to first study vaccine
administration. Inhaled/nebulized, intra-articular, intrabursal, or topical (skin or
eyes) corticosteroids are permitted.
13. Has received systemic immunoglobulins or blood products within 3 months prior to first
study vaccine administration or plans to receive such products during the study.
Other Exclusions
14. Demonstrated inability to comply with the study procedures.
15. Investigator site staff members, employees of the Sponsor or the CRO directly involved
in the conduct of the study, or site staff members otherwise supervised by the
investigator, or immediate family members of any of the previously mentioned
individuals.
16. Other restrictions apply to Phase 1 participants to ensure they are healthy.
Additional Exclusion Criteria for Phase 3c Participants Only:
No contraindications (as specified in the prescribing information) to receiving the ChAdOx1
vaccine.
Pasteur Institute
Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Hanoi Medical University
Ha Noi, Vietnam
Military Medical University
Ha Noi, Vietnam