VIDO has developed a vaccine called COVAC-2. 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-2 contains a SWE adjuvant. An adjuvant is a compound that is added to a vaccine to help the vaccine produce a better immune response. The SWE adjuvant belongs to a family of oil-based adjuvants that have been given to millions of people around the world as part of influenza vaccines. The COVAC-2 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-2 vaccine was able to protect the vaccinated animals against a severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Phase 1 is a multi-centred trial of the COVAC-2 vaccine to be completed in Canada. It will be a randomized, observer-blinded, and placebo-controlled study to assess the safety and immunogenicity of three dosing levels (25, 50, and 100 µg protein) administered twice (4 weeks apart) in healthy adults 18 through 54 years of age (Phase 1a) and 55 years of age and older (Phase 1b). Enrolment and vaccination of participants will be staggered over time based on participant age and vaccine dose. Approval will be sought from the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) to proceed with the second dose in each group, to enroll at each dose level, and to enroll in the older age group for each dose level. Within the same age group, the 8 participants receiving the lowest dose are randomized with 4 participants receiving placebo; the 8 participants receiving the medium 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, to immunize the remaining 9 participants within that dose level.
Biological: COVAC-2
Intramuscular vaccine against SARS-CoV-2
Biological: Saline Placebo
Intramuscular injection of saline placebo
Inclusion Criteria:
To be eligible for the study, each participant must satisfy all of the following criteria:
1. Male and female healthy adults ages 18 years of age or older;
2. Good general health as determined by screening evaluation no greater than 30 days
before immunization;
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:
Participant with any of the following criteria will be excluded:
1. Presence of any febrile illness or any known or suspected acute illness on the day of
any immunization;
2. Any physical findings suggestive of acute or chronic illness;
3. Any immunodeficiency (congenital or acquired);
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;
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 study immunization;
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.
Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Royal University Hospital
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Joanne M Langley, MD, Principal Investigator
Canadian Center for Vaccinology