Study to Compare the Efficacy of GSK Biologicals' Adjuvants in Combination With the Antigen of the Hepatitis B Vaccine

Comparison of the Immunogenicity and Safety of Various Investigational and Licensed Formulations of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) Vaccines.

The aim of this Observer-blind study is to compare different Adjuvant Systems with the same, well-known antigen (HBsAg) already used in the GSK marketed vaccines against Hepatitis B (Engerix-BTM and FendrixTM), in order to better understand the immune response induced by each of the Adjuvant System.

This Protocol Posting has been updated following Protocol amendment 6, October 2009. The section impacted is Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

All subjects must satisfy the following criteria at study entry :

• Subjects who the investigator believes that they can and will comply with the requirements of the protocol.
• A male or female between, and including, 18 and 45 years at the time of the first vaccination.
• Written informed consent obtained from the subject.
• Healthy subjects as established by medical history, clinical examination and clinical laboratory assessment before entering into the study.
• If the subject is female, she must be of non-childbearing potential, or if she is of childbearing potential, she must practice adequate contraception for 30 days prior to vaccination, have a negative pregnancy test and continue such precautions for 2 months after completion of the vaccination series.

Exclusion criteria:

The following criteria should be checked at the time of study entry. If any apply, the subject must not be included in the study:

• Previous vaccination against Hepatitis B.
• Positive for anti-HBs antibodies, antiHBc antibodies, HBsAg, HCV antibodies and/or HIV.
• Any previous administration of specific adjuvant components.
• Use of any investigational or non-registered product (drug or vaccine) other than the study vaccine(s) within 30 days preceding the first dose of study vaccine, or planned use during the study period or participation to another pharmaceutical/vaccine study.
• Chronic administration (defined as more than 14 days) of immunosuppressants or other immune-modifying drugs within six months prior to the first vaccine dose.
• Planned administration/ administration of a vaccine not foreseen by the study protocol within 30 days of the first dose of vaccine with the exception of the influenza vaccine (pandemic or seasonal) which can be administered > 21 days preceding or > 21 days following each primary vaccine dose (Doses 1 and 2) AND > 7 days preceding or > 7 days following the booster dose.
• Administration of immunoglobulins and/or any blood products within the last 3 months.
• Any confirmed or suspected immunosuppressive or immunodeficient condition, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
• History of allergic disease or reactions likely to be exacerbated by any component of the vaccine(s).
• Current serious neurologic or mental disease.
• Any past or current malignancies and lymphoproliferative disorders.
• Acute or chronic, clinically significant pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, renal functional abnormality, autoimmune disease or anemia, as determined by physical examination or laboratory screening tests at the discretion of the investigator.
• Acute disease at the time of enrolment.
• Pregnant or lactating female.
• History of chronic alcohol consumption and/or drug abuse.
• Other conditions that the principal investigator judges may interfere with study findings.