The preliminary safety and immunogenicity results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase I trial for a recombinant two-component subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine ReCOV
Authors: Wynne Chris , Hamilton Paul , Li Jingxin , Mo Chen , Yu Jiaping , Yao Wenrong , Yue Zijing , Zhang Xi , Zhang Jianhui , Hong Kunxue , Chen Jianping , Liu Yong , Zhu Fengcai 
Published: May 2022

Background

The ReCOV is a recombinant trimeric two-component SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine adjuvanted with BFA03. We report the preliminary safety and immunogenicity results for the ReCOV.

Methods

This first in human, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase I study, was conducted at 2 study sites in New Zealand. Subjects were stratified into two age cohorts (18-55 years and 56-80 years old) and then randomly assigned in a 4:1 ratio to receive two 0.5 mL intramuscular doses of the ReCOV vaccine (20µg or 40µg, adjuvanted with BFA03 in each) or placebo, 21 days apart. The primary endpoints were incidence of solicited local and systemic adverse events (AEs) and unsolicited AEs after each dose; incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs) up to 30 days after the second dose; changes in clinical laboratory tests from baseline up to 7 days after each dose; and changes in vital signs from baseline up to 30 days after the second dose. The key secondary endpoints for immunogenicity were neutralizing antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2, S1 receptor binding domain (RBD) and N-terminal domain (NTD) IgG titers post-vaccination. The T cell-specific immune response elicited by ReCOV were also evaluated. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04818801).

Findings

One hundred participants (50 for each age group) were randomized. The incidence of solicited local AEs in 20μg ReCOV, 40μg ReCOV, and pooled placebo group among younger adults were 60.0%, 70.0%, and 10.0%, respectively, while among older adults were 55.0%, 84.2%, and 10.0%, respectively. The incidence of solicited systemic AEs in 20μg ReCOV, 40μg ReCOV, and pooled placebo group among younger adults were 60.0%, 60.0%, and 30.0%, respectively, while among older adults were 50.0%, 52.6%, and 50.0%, respectively. All solicited AEs and unsolicited AEs were mild. No vaccination-related SAE, adverse events of special interest, and AE leading to early discontinuation were reported.

ReCOV elicited SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody after the first vaccination, which were increased further after the second vaccination irrespective of dose and age groups. The neutralizing antibody against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 peaked at 14 days post the second vaccination in both 20µg and 40µg ReCOV groups, with GMT of 1643.17 IU/mL and 1289.21 IU/mL among younger adults, and 1122.32 IU/mL and 680.31 IU/mL among older adults, respectively. Similarly, both anti-RBD and anti-NTD specific IgG were elicited after the first vaccination, and peaked at 14 days after the second vaccination. T helper 1 biased cellular responses were observed after ReCOV vaccinations.

Interpretation

Both 20 and 40µg ReCOV showed good safety profiles and elicited strong immune responses in the younger and the older adults. The results of this study support the accelerated development of ReCOV.

Funding

Jiangsu Recbio Technology Co., Ltd.