This study is a Phase I/II clinical study in healthy adults designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of receiving 2 IM injections of Covigenix VAX-001/-1b, 28 days apart. Covigenix VAX-001/-1b is a plasmid DNA vaccine that expresses key antigenic determinants from SARS-CoV-2 and uses Entos Pharmaceuticals' Fusogenix PLV platform. The phase I part of this study was completed in Canada. The phase II part of the study will be completed in Burkina Faso, Senegal and South Africa.
Phase I portion of the study:
Study design:
ENTVAX01-101 is a phase I/II, placebo-controlled, randomized, observer-blind, dose ranging
clinical trial in males and non-pregnant females, 18 years and older, who are in good health
and meet all eligibility criteria. This clinical trial is designed to assess the safety,
tolerability, and immunogenicity of Covigenix VAX-001 manufactured by Entos Pharmaceuticals.
Covigenix VAX-001 is a novel plasmid DNA-based vaccine that encodes for the full-length Spike
protein from SARS-CoV-2 (VAX-001 encapsulated in a proprietary Fusogenix Proteo-Lipid Vehicle
(PLV)).
Enrollment for the phase I portion of the study will occur at one Canadian site. Thirty-six
participants will be enrolled in a staggered manner into one cohort an 3 groups (0.100 mg &
0.250 mg vs. placebo) in stage I. Participants will receive an intramuscular (IM) injection
(0.5 milliliter [mL]) on Days 0 and 14 in the deltoid muscle of alternating arms and will be
followed through 12 months post booster vaccination (Day 379). Follow-up visits will occur at
Days 7, 14, 17, 21, 28, 42, 196, and 379.
The primary objective is to evaluate the safety of a 2-dose vaccination schedule of the
Covigenix VAX-001 vaccine, given 14 days apart. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the
humoral immune response as measured by Immunoglobulin G (IgG) ELISA to the SARS-CoV-2 S
protein and by pseudo-viral neutralization assay to pseudo-virion following a 2-dose
vaccination schedule of Covigenix VAX-001.
Clinical safety data will be collected at the Day 0 of the study and at defined intervals
(Dose 1: Days 7, 14; Dose 2: Days: 21, 42).
Clinical safety lab testing
• Hematology & Biochemistry:
Immunogenicity testing:
- ELISA and pseudo-viral neutralization tests
- % of responders or individuals who seroconvert (with 95% CI): develop immune response
defined as a 4-fold or greater rise.
- Geometric mean concentration/geometric mean titers (with 95% CI) and
pre-/post-vaccination ratios (geometric mean ratios) provide absolute values and
increase in antibody titers at defined time points after each vaccination.
- Reverse cumulative distribution (RCD) curves display percentage of participants versus
antibody levels.
The following immunogenicity tests will be performed as exploratory objectives:
- SARS-CoV-2 neutralization antibody responses at Days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 196, and 379.
- Antigen-specific B&T cell interferon (IFN)-γ cell responses measured by ELISPOT up to
Day 379.
- Antigen-specific T cell responses measured by flow cytometry up to Day 379
- Antigen-specific T cell responses including cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ and CD8+
cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), through ICS up to Day 379
- Whole blood immunophenotyping (B and T cell repertoire (BCR and TCR) as measured by high
throughput sequencing of lymphocyte antigen receptor genes, SCS, and RNAseq to identify
all genes regulated by the vaccine) up to Day 379
Sample size: 36 participants, 24 test subjects and 12 placebo controls;
Study plan:
Table 1. Study groups and treatments Arm Intervention
1. Experimental: Low dose (0.100mg), 18-<55 years, 2 doses Biological: Covigenix VAX-001,
0.5 mL IM injection
2. Experimental: High dose (0.250mg), 18-<55 years, 2 doses Biological: Covigenix VAX-001,
0.5 mL IM injection
3. Placebo Comparator: Placebo, 18-<55 years Other: Placebo, 0.5 mL IM injection
Enrollment plan:
Enrollment plan: Study participants will be enrolled in a staged manner at each dosage level
(Low and High), as described below:
First, three participants of the cohort will be randomized (2:1; Groups 1 and 3) to the low
dose of Covigenix VAX-001 or placebo, a minimum of one hour apart. Once three participants
have received treatment there will be a 72-hour waiting period, and if no holding rule is met
then the remaining participants from Group 1 and 3 will be vaccinated. Similarly, once 7-day
safety data are available on a minimum of 75% (n=14) of participants in Groups 1/3, 1)
participants of the cohort will be randomized (2:1; groups 2 and 3) to the high dose of
Covigenix VAX-001 or placebo.
After review of day 42 data (Day 28 post second dose) on participants in Groups 1/3 (Low
dose), it will be decided whether this group will be enrolled in the Ph II of the study.
Infection during the study: During the observation period of the study, if fever and
respiratory symptoms with cough develop in a participant, he/she should immediately follow
local procedures for care of suspected COVID-19 illness and contact the study team. The
participant's nasopharyngeal and throat swab/sputum will be collected and tested for
SARS-CoV-2 at a designated provincial testing center. If a COVID-19 infection is found during
the study, a case investigation will be undertaken. Careful monitoring for vaccine-related
enhanced disease will be undertaken in conjunction with the participant's primary physician.
In addition to the real-time PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2, the collected nasopharyngeal
swab/sputum will be tested for other respiratory pathogens.
Participants testing positive for SARS CoV 2 between IP Dose 1 and Dose 2 will not receive
Dose 2, but will be followed for safety.
Study duration: 13 months
Study Design for the phase II portion of the study:
For the Phase II part, enrollment will occur at sites globally. Approximately 500
participants will be enrolled into 1 of 5 groups (approximately 100 per group) as safety data
emerge from the Phase I portion . Participants will receive an IM injection (0.5 mL) on Days
0 and 14 in the deltoid muscle of alternating arms and will be followed through 12 months
post Dose 2. Follow-up visits will occur at Days 14, 28, 42, 196, and 379.
The total duration for an individual participant in the Phase II part will be approximately
13 months.
Study arms are:
1. Experimental: Low dose (0.100mg), 18 years and older, 2 doses active Biological:
Covigenix VAX-001, 0.5 mL IM injection
2. Experimental: Low dose (0.100mg), 18 years and older, 1 dose active, 1 dose placebo
Biological: Covigenix VAX-001, 0.5 mL IM injection
3. Experimental: High dose (0.250mg), 18 years and older, 2 doses active Biological:
Covigenix VAX-001, 0.5 mL IM injection
4. Experimental: High dose (0.250mg), 18 years and older, 1 dose active, 1 dose placebo
Biological: Covigenix VAX-001, 0.5 mL IM injection
5. Placebo Comparator: Placebo, 18 years and older Other: Placebo, 0.5 mL IM injection
Clinical safety lab testing
• Hematology & Biochemistry:
Immunogenicity testing:
- ELISA and pseudo-viral neutralization tests
- % of responders or individuals who seroconvert (with 95% CI): develop immune response
defined as a 4-fold or greater rise.
- Geometric mean concentration/geometric mean titers (with 95% CI) and
pre-/post-vaccination ratios (geometric mean ratios) provide absolute values and
increase in antibody titers at defined time points after each vaccination.
The following immunogenicity tests will be performed as exploratory objectives:
- SARS-CoV-2 neutralization antibody responses at Days 0,14, and 28.
- Antigen-specific T cell responses including cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ and CD8+
cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), through ICS up to Day 379
Phase II
The Phase II part will be initiated following DSMC recommendation based on 42-day reviews of
each group (complete or partial group) in Phase I Canada part and the enrollment and DSMC
recommendations from the Phase II Lead-in groups in South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Senegal.
Recruitment will be staggered by group as summarized in Table 5 of the protocol. The Phase II
part will consist of a randomized, observer-blinded, multi-center, dose ranging clinical
study in males and nonpregnant females, 18 years and older who meet all eligibility criteria.
Approximately 500 participants will be enrolled into 1 of 4 cohorts: low dose 0.100 mg as 1
or 2 dose schedule and high dose 0.250 mg as 1 or 2 dose schedules.
Participants will receive an IM injection (0.5 mL) on Days 0 and 28 in the deltoid muscle of
alternating arms and will be followed through 12 months post Dose 2 (Table 5).
Follow-up visits will occur at Days 28, 42, 56, 118, 210, and 393. Enrollment in the phase II
part of the study will be carried out globally in Burkina Faso, Senegal and South Africa.
Biological: Covigenix VAX-001 placebo
Placebo vaccine
Biological: Covigenix VAX-001
Active Covigenix VAX-001
Inclusion Criteria
Inclusion criteria for Phase I:
Each participant must meet all of the following criteria to be enrolled in the Phase 1 part
of the study:
1. The participant is a healthy adult from 18 <55 years and with a BMI of ≤30 kg/m2 at
the time of enrollment.
2. If the participant is a WOCBP, she must have practiced adequate contraception for 30
days prior to IP Dose 1, have a negative pregnancy test on the day of IP Dose 1, and
have agreed to continue adequate contraception until 90 days after IP Dose 2.
3. If the participant is male, he must agree to continue adequate contraception until 90
days after IP Dose 2.
4. The participant is able to provide consent to participate in the study and has signed
an ICF.
5. The participant is able and willing to complete all the scheduled study procedures
during the whole study period (approximately 13 months).
6. The participant is generally in good health, as determined by a review of medical
history and a physical examination within 14 days prior to IP Dose 1.
Inclusion criteria for Phase II
Each participant must meet all of the following criteria to be enrolled in Phase II part of
the study:
1. The participant is 18 years and older.
2. If the participant is a WOCBP, she must have a negative pregnancy test on the day of
IP Dose 1, and have agreed to adequate contraception until 90 days after IP Dose 2
administration.
3. If the participant is male, he must agree to continue adequate contraception until 90
days after IP Dose 2
4. The participant can provide consent to participate in and having signed an ICF.
5. The participant is able and willing to complete all the scheduled study procedures
during the whole study follow-up period (approximately 13 months).
Exclusion Criteria
Exclusion criteria for Phase I
Participants meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded from Phase I of the
study:
1. The participant has history of anaphylaxis to any allergen.
2. The participant has history of seizure disorder, encephalopathy or psychosis.
3. The female participant is pregnant (positive urine pregnancy test), lactating, or
plans to become pregnant during the 3 months of enrollment.
4. The participant has a positive test result for HIV or hepatitis B and C.
5. The participant has a positive test results of IgG antibodies against SARS CoV 2 from
RCT.
6. The participant has a positive test result of real-time quantitative PCR screening of
nasopharyngeal swab/sputum for SARS-CoV-2.
7. The participant has a laboratory (hematological and biochemistry) examination that is
out of normal range, or greater than a Grade 1 abnormality and clinically significant
as assessed by the investigator including test results for: CBC, PT, PTT, ALT, AST,
ALP, T Bil, Cr, lipase, and blood glucose;
- Transient mild laboratory abnormalities may be rescreened once, and the participant
will be excluded if the laboratory repeat test is abnormal as per local laboratory
normal values and the investigator's assessment.
8. The participant presents with any acute febrile disease (oral temperature ≥38.0°C) or
active infectious disease.
9. The participant has a medical history of SARS-CoV-1.
10. The participant has unstable concomitant underlying conditions.
- Note: Stable condition defined as: The participant is appropriately managed on
consistent disease management, for example participants with well controlled
hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (BPH) or hypothyroid
disease will be eligible for enrollment. The treatment regimen should be stable for at
least 3 months prior to entering the study. Once IP treatment has started, must be
willing to maintain all aspects of the treatment regimen and forgo any elective
changes in medication or management. Emergency changes in medication or management
would be captured as an adverse event.
11. The participant has a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome or degenerative neurological
disorders; a history of autoimmune, inflammatory disease or potential immune-mediated
medical conditions (PIMMCs), or any condition that may put the participant at
increased risk of safety events
12. The participant has serious cardiovascular diseases, such as arrhythmia, conduction
block, history of myocardial infarction, severe hypertension not controlled with
medication.
13. The participant has a serious chronic disease such as asthma, diabetes, or thyroid
disease.
14. The participant has immunodeficiency, asplenia, or functional asplenia.
15. The participant has a platelet disorder or other bleeding disorder that may cause
contraindication for IM injection.
16. The participant has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, current smoker or vaper.
17. The participant has a history or diagnosis of coagulopathies.
18. The participant has received immunosuppressive medication, cytotoxic therapy, or
corticosteroids (excluding corticosteroid spray for allergic rhinitis, surface
corticosteroid therapy for acute non-complicated dermatitis) in the last 6 months.
19. The participant received the blood products in last 4 months.
20. The participant has received other investigational drugs within 1 month before Day 0,
or planned use during the study period.
21. The participant had prior administration of any live attenuated vaccine within 1 month
before Day 0.
22. The participant had prior administration of a subunit or inactivated non SARS CoV 2
vaccine within 2 weeks before Day 0.
23. The participant had prior administration of any other vaccine considered (or being
considered) to be protective against SARS-CoV-2 any time before Day 0.
24. The participant had prior participation in other studies involving study intervention
containing lipid nanoparticles.
25. The participant has any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may
interfere with the participant's compliance, evaluation of study objectives, or
informed consent process (i.e. medical, psychological, social or other conditions).
26. The participant is at high risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their
surroundings, contacts or circumstances. Explicitly exclude healthcare and essential
workers/at risk population.
Exclusion criteria for Phase II
Participants meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded from Phase II part of
the study:
1. The participant has history of anaphylaxis to any allergen.
2. The female participant is pregnant (positive urine pregnancy test), lactating, or
plans to become pregnant during the next 3 months.
3. The participant has any acute febrile disease (oral temperature ≥38.0°C [100.4ºF]) or
active infectious disease on the day of IP administration (participants may be re
scheduled).
4. The participant has a medical history of SARS-CoV-1.
5. The participant has a history of immunodeficiency, asplenia, or functional asplenia.
6. The participant has received immunosuppressive medication, cytotoxic therapy, inhaled
corticosteroids (excluding corticosteroid spray for allergic rhinitis, surface
corticosteroid therapy for acute non-complicated dermatitis) in the last 6 months.
7. The participant has received other investigational drugs within 1 month before first
dose administration or planned use during the study period.
8. The participant has received any live attenuated vaccine within 1 month before first
dose administration or any inactivated vaccine within 2 weeks before first dose
administration.
9. The participant has received prior administration of any other vaccine considered (or
being considered) to protect against SARS-CoV-2 any time before study onset.
10. The participant has a history of any medical conditions that place them at higher risk
for severe illness due to SARS-CoV-2 including but not limited to asthma, chronic
kidney disease being treated with dialysis, chronic lung disease, diabetes, hemoglobin
disorders, immunocompromised, liver disease, serious heart conditions, or severe
obesity.
11. The participant has any condition that in the opinion of the investigators may
interfere with the participants' compliance, evaluation of study objectives, or
informed consent process (i.e., medical, psychological, social or other conditions).
National Center for Research and Training on Malaria
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
National Center for Research and Training on Malaria
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Canadian Centre for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Institute for Health Research, Epidemiological Surveillance and Training (IRESSEF)
Dakar, Senegal
FARMOVS (PTY) Ltd.
Bloemfontein, South Africa
Yvonne Bessem, PhD
4164606574
yvonne.bessem@entospharma.com
Catalina Vasquez
7804995396
catalina.vasquez@entospharma.com
Joakem Tazanu Fossung, Study Director
Clinical Pharma Solutions