2395. An Interim Report of the Safety, Reactogenicity, and Immunogenicity of a Self-amplifying mRNA (samRNA) COVID-19 Vaccine GRT-R910 as a Booster in Healthy Adults
Authors: Whitaker Jennifer , Rebolledo Paulina , Rouphael Nadine , Abate Getahun , Babu Tara M , Wald Anna , Sahly Hana El , Garbes Pedro , Jooss Karin , Allen Andrew , McQuarrie Lisa , Sitaula Ranjan , Roberts Paul C , Makhene Mamodikoe , Posavad Christine M , Juliana McElrath M , De Rosa Stephen , Coler Rhea , Montefiori David , Eaton Amanda , Koelle David M , Hoft Daniel F 
Published: November 2023

Background

GRT-R910 (Gritstone bio, Inc), a self-amplifying mRNA (samRNA) vaccine expressing the spike protein plus T-cell epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 (D614G variant), was tested in a phase 1 study as a booster in healthy adults.

Methods

This phase 1 open-label, dose escalation study enrolled healthy adults who previously received an approved mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series. Groups of 10 adults aged 18-60 years were boosted with GRT-R910 at 3 or 6 mcg. Adults &gt; 60 years were boosted with GRT-R910 at 3, 6, or 10 mcg. All participants &gt; 60 years in the 6 and 10 mcg dose groups received prior mRNA COVID-19 boosters; none in other groups had prior boosts. Study boosts occurred at least 112 days after completion of primary series/boost of authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Solicited local and systemic reactogenicity events were collected for 7 days, unsolicited adverse events for 28 days, and serious adverse events (SAEs) for 366 days post-vaccination. Humoral (ELISA IgG against SARS-CoV-2 RBD and neutralizing antibody against D614G and Omicron BA.4/5) are being assessed at multiple time points over 1 year after study vaccination. Participants who self-reported SARS-CohV-2 infection or receipt of non-study COVID-19 booster during the study were censored in the immunogenicity analyses.

Results

No severe local reactogenicity events were observed. Overall, out of 48 enrolled across all groups, 8 reported at least 1 severe systemic reactogenicity event (figure 1). Most severe systemic reactogenicity events were transient, with most graded severe for 1 day or less. No SAEs have been reported. Neutralizing antibody responses remain durable up to 1 year after 3 and 6 mcg boosts in adults 18-60 years (figure 2) and up to 6 months after 3, 6, and 10 mcg boosts in adults &gt; 60 years (data only available through 6 months; figure 3).Figure 1:Solicited Systemic and Local Reactogenicity within 7 Days after Receipt of GRT-R910

GMT= geometric mean titer; Boxes and horizontal bars denote interquartile range (IQR) and median AUC, respectively. Whisker endpoints are equal to the maximum and minimum values below or above the median +/- 1.5 x IQR. All participants in the 3 μg GRT-R910, 18-60 yo and 6 μg GRT-R910, 18-60 yo groups received a mRNA two dose primary COVID-19 vaccination series prior to enrollment. None were previously SARS-CoV-2 infected.

GMT= geometric mean titer; Boxes and horizontal bars denote interquartile range (IQR) and median AUC, respectively. Whisker endpoints are equal to the maximum and minimum values below or above the median +/- 1.5 x IQR. All participants in the 3 μg GRT-R910, &gt; 60 yo group received a mRNA two dose primary COVID-19 vaccination series prior to enrollment. All participants in the 6 μg GRT-R910, &gt; 60 yo and 10 μg GRT-R910, &gt; 60 yo groups received a mRNA two dose primary COVID-19 vaccination series plus a mRNA booster vaccine prior to enrollment. Two participants each in the 6 μg GRT-R910, &gt; 60 yo and 10 μg GRT-R910, &gt; 60 yo groups had a previous COVID-19 infection at enrollment (green dots). D1, D15, D29 testing for Groups 9 and 10 are planned against BA.4/5.

Conclusion

While transient systemic reactogenicity with GRT-R910 as a booster was observed, no safety signals were identified. Preliminary immunogenicity data demonstrate durable neutralizing antibody responses for 6-12 months in both younger and older age groups. Forthcoming T cell response data will aid in assessing the immunogenicity of this novel vaccine.

Disclosures

Nadine Rouphael, MD, Icon, EMMES, Sanofi, Seqirus, Moderna: Advisor/Consultant Anna Wald, MD, MPH, Aicuris: Advisor/Consultant|Bayer: Advisor/Consultant|Curevo: Participation on Data Safety Monitoring Board|GSK: Grant/Research Support|Sanofi: Grant/Research Support|UpToDate: Royalties or licenses Pedro Garbes, MD, Gritstone bio, Inc.: Employee|Gritstone bio, Inc.: Employee|Gritstone bio, Inc.: Stocks/Bonds|Gritstone bio, Inc.: Stocks/Bonds Karin Jooss, PhD, Gritstone bio: employee|Gritstone bio: Stocks/Bonds Andrew Allen, MD, PhD, Gritstone bio: Board Member|Gritstone bio: Ownership Interest|Gritstone bio: Stocks/Bonds Amanda Eaton, MBA, Moderna: Grant/Research Support David M. Koelle, MD, Curevo Vaccines: Board Member|MaxHealth LLC: Board Member|Sanofi Pasteur: Grant/Research Support Daniel F. Hoft, MD, PhD, Moderna: Advisor/Consultant|Poolbeg: Advisor/Consultant