Study of a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Virus-like Particle (VLP) Vaccine

Phase II Study to Assess the Safety, Efficacy, and Immunogenicity of Authentic SARS-CoV-2 or Alpha Variant Spike Containing VLP Vaccines and Their Combination for the Prevention of COVID-19 in Healthy Adult Volunteers (SAVE STUDY)

This is a randomized, parallel dose assigned, double blind, multi center, Phase II study assessing the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of VLP vaccine (Authentic and Alpha variants) in adults between 18 and 59 years who are healthy or have medically stable chronic diseases and who have no known history of SARS-CoV-2 infection

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the humoral and cellular immune response of VLP vaccine candidates (harboring M, N, E, and HexaPro S antigens of the virus), as an efficacy criteria.

Approximately 330 subjects will be randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive two doses of 40 mcg VLP vaccine for Wuhan (n=110) or 40 mcg VLP vaccine for Alpha (British) variant (n=110) or 40 mcg VLP vaccine for Wuhan+Alpha variant (n=110) 21 days apart.

The study will be completed in 14 months.

All injections will be done subcutaneously.

Inclusion Criteria:

To be eligible for the study, each participant must satisfy all the following criteria:

1. Female and/or male participant who is informed and about his/her participation and who agrees to give his/her written informed consent.

2. Aged between 18 and 59 years.

3. Negative Immunoglobulin G (IgG)/Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody for COVID-19.

4. Negative COVID-19 quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) test result.

5. Able to comply with all scheduled visits, vaccination plan, laboratory tests, lifestyle considerations, and other study procedures.

6. Negative blood test for hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at screening period.

7. Body temperature < 37.2°C.

8. Body Mass Index (BMI) ranged between 18-35 kg/m2.

9. Clinical laboratory test results within the reference range of the laboratory or clinically non-significant (complete blood count (CBC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, and fasting glucose) or any laboratory parameters defined in the study protocol.

10. Good general health as determined by physical examination, laboratory screening, and review of medical history within 14 days prior to participation.

11. Female participants of childbearing potential may be enrolled in the study if the subject fulfils all the following criteria:

    • Have a negative pregnancy test on the day of screening and prior to each study vaccine administration.
    • Use an effective contraceptive method for at least 30 days prior to first dose of study vaccine and agree to continue using one highly effective form of birth control through 6 months after the administration of the last dose of study vaccine.

12. Female participants of non-childbearing potential may be enrolled in the study. Non-childbearing potential is defined as postmenopausal (defined as amenorrhea for ≥12 consecutive months prior to Screening without an alternative medical cause) or surgically sterile (bilateral tubal ligation, bilateral oophorectomy, or hysterectomy).

13. Male participants who agree to use an effective contraceptive method during the study period and until 6 months after the last dose of study vaccine.

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants with any of the following criteria will be excluded:

1. History of laboratory-confirmed SARS-COV-2 infection.
2. History of seizures, encephalopathy, or psychosis.
3. Known or suspected allergy or history of anaphylaxis or other serious adverse reactions to any vaccine or study vaccine and/or any other excipients of the vaccine.
4. Pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant within 6 months after the study vaccine administration.
5. Suspected active infection or other acute illness, including fever > 37.2°C.
6. Any presence of clinical relevance of cardiovascular disease (including but not limited to arrythmia, myocardial infarction, uncontrolled hypertension, coronary artery disease, or congestive heart failure).
7. Any presence of clinical relevance of serious chronic disease [asthma, diabetes, thyroid diseases etc.).
8. Any presence of clinical relevance of congenital or acquired angioedema.
9. Diagnosis of immunodeficiency.
10. Diagnosis of bleeding diathesis.
11. Use of immunosuppressive medications, anti-allergic therapy, cytotoxic therapy, inhaler corticosteroids (excluding allergic rhinitis or topical steroid ointments).
12. Those who received blood/plasma products or immunoglobulins and/or blood transfusion within the last 6 months.
13. Those who participated in another vaccine study or received an investigational/experimental drug within 1 month prior to study entry.
14. History of any live vaccine within 1 month prior to study participation.
15. History of any inactivated vaccine within 1 month prior to study participation.
16. Use of active tuberculosis treatment.
17. According to the investigator's judgement, those who have any condition (medical, psychological, social, etc.) that may impair the subject's compliance with the study