Evaluate the Safety, Immunogenicity and Potential Efficacy of an rVSV-SARS-CoV-2-S Vaccine

A Phase I/II Randomized, Multi-Center, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Escalation Study to Evaluate the Safety, Immunogenicity and Potential Efficacy of an rVSV-SARS-CoV-2-S Vaccine (IIBR-100) in Adults

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic emerged from Wuhan Province in China in December 2019 and was declared by the WHO Director-General a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January 2020.

In this study, a vaccine developed by IIBR for SARS-CoV-2 virus will be assessed for its safety and potential efficacy in volunteers. The study is comprised of two phases, a dose-escalation phase (phase I) during which subjects (18-55 years old) will be randomly allocated to receive a single administration of IIBR-100 at low, mid or high dose or saline or two administrations of IIBR-100 at low dose, or saline, 28 days apart.

Based on results obtained during phase I, and cumulative phase I data review, the expansion phase (phase II) has begun, during which larger cohorts as well as elderly age subjects were initially planned to be randomly allocated to receive a single administration of IIBR-100 at low, mid or high dose or saline, or two administrations of IIBR-100 at low, mid or high dose (prime-boost) or saline, 28 days apart. Additional top-dose (prime-boost) may be implemented when immunogenicity of any prime-boost arm is considered insufficient. However, based on immunogenicity preliminary data and DSMB recommendations, only the two administrations of mid, high and top dose (prime-boost) or saline will continue in the study.

The subjects will be followed for a period of up to 12 months post last vaccine administration to assess the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.

In the Phase I, healthy adult volunteers will be randomly allocated to one of the four treatment groups to receive a single administration (prime) of IIBR-100 at low, mid or high dose or saline or two administrations (prime-boost) of IIBR-100 at low dose, or saline, 28 days apart. During Phase I, dosing of prime will proceed in a sequential fashion followed by a safety review committee and DSMB to consider expansion to include the rest of the group and escalation to the next groups. Only Groups that demonstrate acceptable safety profile, immunogenicity and potential efficacy will be included in the Phase II operation. In both phases, the subjects will receive an intramuscular injection of the IIBR-100 consisted of 1ml replicating viral rVSV SARS-CoV-2-S vaccine or placebo consisted of 1ml of 0.9% saline. Dosing will be performed at Day 0 and Day 28 (for allocated to prime-boost treatment groups) in the deltoid muscle and will be followed through 12 months post last vaccination. Follow-up visits for subjects administered with the single administration (prime) or placebo will occur at 1, 2 and 4 weeks as well as 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after dosing. Follow up visits for subjects administered with two administrations (prime-boost) or placebo will occur at 1, 2 and 4 weeks post each vaccination as well as at 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the second vaccination. Reactogenicity will be measured by the occurrence of solicited injection site and systemic reactions from the time of each dosing through 7 days post each dosing. Unsolicited non-serious safety events will be collected from the time of each dosing through 28 days post each dosing. Serious safety events, new-onset chronic medical conditions and medically attended safety events will be collected through 12 months after the last dosing.

Inclusion Criteria:

Phase I (abbreviated):

• Healthy males or females, ages 18 to 55 (inclusive) at the time of screening.
• Negative PCR and no presence of ELISA antibody titers to SARS-CoV-2 at screening.
• Females of childbearing potential and males must be willing to use effective methods of contraception such as hormones (OCP, oral contraceptive pill), condom or occlusive cap with spermicidal agents, intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) from at least 14 days prior to vaccination through 90 days following last injection.
• Subjects in general good health with no chronic disease nor consumes chronic medication in the opinion of the investigator as determined by medical history, vital signs and a physical examination.
• No clinically significant abnormalities in hematology, blood chemistry, or urinalysis laboratory tests at screening.
• Negative HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C serology tests.
• Normal oral temperature, normal sinus rhythm, pulse rate no greater than 100 beats per minute and normal systolic blood pressure (below 140/90 mmHg)
• Must be willing to forgo blood donation during the blood drawing phase of the study.
• Must agree not to enroll in another study of an investigational agent prior to completion of the study.
• Subjects must be able to understand the requirements of the study and must be accessible and willing to comply with the study procedures even under lock down conditions.
• Ability to provide informed consent.

Phase II (abbreviated):

• Males or females, ages 18 to 85 (inclusive) at the time of screening.
• Negative PCR and no presence of ELISA antibody titers to SARS-CoV-2 at screening.
• Females of childbearing potential and males must be willing to use effective methods of contraception such as hormones (OCP, oral contraceptive pill), condom or occlusive cap with spermicidal agents, intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) from at least 14 days prior to vaccination through 90 days following last injection. Male must agree to avoid sperm donation from time of first injection through 90 days following last injection.
• No clinically significant abnormalities in hematology, blood chemistry, or urinalysis laboratory tests at screening.
• Must be willing to forgo blood donation during the blood drawing phase of the study
• Must agree not to enroll in another study of an investigational agent prior to completion of the study.
• Normal oral temperature, pulse rate no greater than 100 beats per minute (sinus rhythm) and controlled blood pressure (in the case of hypertensives under treatment, below 140/90 mmHg).
• Subjects must be able to understand the requirements of the study and must be accessible and willing to comply with the study procedures even under lock down conditions.
• Ability to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Phase I (abbreviated):

• History of severe local or systemic reactions to any vaccination or a history of severe allergic reactions or known allergy to the components of the vaccine, including allergy to rice.
• Receipt of investigational product up to 30 days prior to screening or ongoing participation in another clinical trial
• Receipt of licensed vaccines within 14 days of planned study immunization and any AE's possibly related to licensed vaccine immunization at Day 0.
• Inability to observe possible local reactions at the injection sites due to a physical condition or permanent body art.
• Known hemoglobinopathy or coagulation abnormality.
• New onset of fever >37.8 ºC AND [cough OR shortness of breath OR anosmia/ageusia] or any other inter current illness within 14 days prior to screening
• High risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 prior to enrollment (close contact, self-isolation at present due to household contact, frontline healthcare provider in contact with COVID-19 subjects).
• Clinically significant medical condition, physical examination findings, clinically significant abnormal laboratory results, or past medical history with clinically significant implications for current health, per the best clinical judgement of the investigator.
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Positive urine pregnancy test or women have an intention to be pregnant during the study.
• Confirmed or suspected illness caused by coronaviruses, SARS-CoV 1, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)-CoV.
• Received any prior vaccine against a coronavirus
• Receipt of blood/plasma products or immunoglobulin, from within 60 days before study intervention administration or planned receipt throughout the study.
• History of alcohol or drug abuse per clinical judgement within 5 years prior to study vaccination.
• Participants who, in the judgment of the investigator, will be unlikely to comply with the requirements of this protocol.
• Any other significant finding that in the opinion of the investigator would increase the risk of the individual having an adverse outcome from participating in this study.
• Individuals who are living with severely immunocompromised people (e.g. transplant patients, those under active cancer immunosuppressant therapy), pregnant women, lactating women, children under 12 months old, or any other individual that, in the judgment of the investigator, might be at increased risk.

Phase II (abbreviated):

• History of severe local or systemic reactions to any vaccination or a history of severe allergic reactions or known allergy to the components of the vaccine, including allergy to rice.
• Receipt of investigational product (except of confirmed placebo in IIBR20-001 study) up to 30 days prior to screening or ongoing participation in another clinical trial (except of IIBR20-001 trial).
• Receipt of licensed vaccines within 14 days of planned study immunization and any AE's possibly related to licensed vaccine immunization at Day 0.
• Inability to observe possible local reactions at the injection sites due to a physical condition or permanent body art.
• Known hemoglobinopathy or coagulation abnormality (subjects treated by anticoagulation or anti platelets are not excluded).
• New onset of fever >37.8ºC AND [cough OR shortness of breath OR anosmia/ageusia], or any other inter current illness within 14 days prior to screening
• Factors that increase risk to the subject to severe disease per CDC guidance including the following risk factors (in any case of ambiguous grading, decision will be made per investigator's best clinical judgement): Cancer [ongoing malignancy or recently diagnosed malignancy in the last five years, not including non-melanotic skin cancer], Chronic Kidney Disease (eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m^2), liver disease (ALT or AST) > 1.5 × ULN; or alkaline phosphatase and direct bilirubin > ULN (total bilirubin may be up to 2 × ULN as long as direct bilirubin is equal to or below the ULN); or PT INR > 1.25), COPD; Immunocompromised state from solid organ transplant; Obesity (BMI≥30kg/m2); Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies; Sickle cell disease; Type 1/2 diabetes mellitus (HbA1C>8.0%, per medical history questioning or records) ); Asthma; Cerebrovascular disease; Cystic fibrosis, uncontrolled hypertension that does not respond to therapy, Pulmonary fibrosis, Thalassemia.
• Anticipating the need for immunosuppressive treatment within the next 6 months.
• Clinically significant (by means of potentially risking the subject or that would be potentially detrimental to the results of the study) medical condition, physical examination findings, clinically significant abnormal laboratory results, or past medical history with clinically significant implications for current health or for severe COVID-19, per the investigator.
• Any progressive or severe neurologic condition/disorder, dementia, seizure disorder, or history of Guillian-Barré syndrome.
• Known or suspected impairment of the immune system including rheumatic, connective tissue or vascular disease of autoimmune origin
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Positive urine or serum pregnancy test or women have an intention to be pregnant during the study.
• Clinically significant abnormal CBC results in WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, or platelets.
• Clinically significant abnormal urinalysis: RBC, protein, or glucose only.
• Positive serology for: hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C, HIV.
• Known or suspected illness caused by coronaviruses, SARS-CoV 1, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)-CoV..
• Received any prior vaccine against a coronavirus.
• Receipt of blood/plasma products or immunoglobulin, from within 60 days before study intervention administration or planned receipt throughout the study.
• Immunosuppressive medications received within 90 days before screening. (Not including [1] corticosteroid nasal spray for allergic rhinitis; [2] topical corticosteroids for mild, uncomplicated dermatitis; or [3] oral/parenteral corticosteroids given for non-chronic conditions not expected to recur [length of therapy 10 days or less with completion at least 30 days prior to vaccination].)
• History of alcohol or drug abuse per clinical judgement within 5 years prior to study vaccination (excluding cannabis)
• Participants who, in the judgment of the investigator, will be unlikely to comply with the requirements of this protocol.
• Any other significant finding that in the opinion of the investigator would increase the risk of the individual having an adverse outcome from participating in this study.