Safety and immunogenicity of a SARS-CoV-2 recombinant protein nanoparticle vaccine (GBP510) adjuvanted with AS03: a phase 1/2, randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded trial
Authors: Song Joon Young , Choi Won Suk , Heo Jung Yeon , Lee Jin Soo , Jung Dong Sik , Kim Shin-Woo , Park Kyung-Hwa , Eom Joong Sik , Jeong Su Jin , Lee Jacob , Kwon Ki Tae , Choi Hee Jung , Sohn Jang Wook , Kim Young Keun , Noh Ji Yun , Kim Woo Joo , Roman François , Ceregido Maria Angeles , Solmi Francesca , Philippot Agathe , Carter Lauren , Veesler David , King Neil , Kim Hun , Ryu Ji Hwa , Lee Su Jeen , Park Yong Wook , Park Ho Keun , Cheong Hee Jin 
Published: April 2022

Background

Vaccination has helped to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten traditional and novel vaccines have been listed by the World Health Organization for emergency use. Additional alternative approaches may better address ongoing vaccination globally, where there remains an inequity in vaccine distribution. GBP510 is a recombinant protein vaccine, which consists of self-assembling, two-component nanoparticles displaying the receptor-binding domain (RBD) in a highly immunogenic array.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded, phase 1/2 trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of GBP510 (2-doses at a 28-day interval) adjuvanted with or without AS03 in adults aged 19–85 years. The main outcomes included solicited and unsolicited adverse events; anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG antibody and neutralizing antibody responses; T-cell immune responses.

Findings

Of 328 participants who underwent randomization, 327 participants received at least 1 dose of vaccine. Each received either 10 μg GBP510 adjuvanted with AS03 (n = 101), 10 μg unadjuvanted GBP510 (n = 10), 25 μg GBP510 adjuvanted with AS03 (n = 104), 25 μg unadjuvanted GBP510 (n = 51), or placebo (n = 61). Most solicited adverse events were mild-to-moderate in severity and transient. Higher reactogenicity was observed in the GBP510 adjuvanted with AS03 groups compared to the non-adjuvanted and placebo groups. Reactogenicity was higher post-dose 2 compared to post-dose 1, particularly for systemic adverse events. The geometric mean concentrations of anti-SARS-CoV-2-RBD IgG antibody reached 2163.6/2599.2 BAU/mL in GBP510 adjuvanted with AS03 recipients (10 μg/25 μg) by 14 days after the second dose. Two-dose vaccination with 10 μg or 25 μg GBP510 adjuvanted with AS03 induced high titers of neutralizing antibody via pseudovirus (1369.0/1431.5 IU/mL) and wild-type virus (949.8/861.0 IU/mL) assays.

Interpretation

GBP510 adjuvanted with AS03 was well tolerated and highly immunogenic. These results support further development of the vaccine candidate, which is currently being evaluated in Phase 3.

Funding

Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations

RESEARCH IN CONTEXT

Evidence before this study

We searched PubMed for research articles published by December 31, 2021, using the terms “COVID-19” or “SARS-CoV-2,” “vaccine,” and “clinical trial.” In previously reported randomized clinical trials, we found that mRNA vaccines were more immunogenic than adenovirus-vectored vaccines. Solicited adverse events were more frequent and more severe in intensity after the first dose compared to the second dose for adenovirus-vectored vaccines, whereas they increased after the second dose of mRNA or recombinant spike-protein nanoparticle vaccines.

Added value of this study

This is the first human study evaluating the immunogenicity and safety of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 protein nanoparticle with and without adjuvant AS03, designed to elicit functional cross-protective responses via receptor-binding domain (RBD). Both 10 and 25 μg of GBP510 with AS03 formulations were well tolerated with an acceptable safety profile. Potent humoral immune responses against the SARS-CoV-2 RBD were induced and peaked by day 42 (14 days after the second dose). In addition, GBP510 adjuvanted with AS03 elicited a noticeable Th1 response, with production of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2. IL-4 was inconsistent and IL-5 nearly inexistent response across all groups.

Implications of the available evidence

The results from this phase 1/2 trial indicate that GBP510 adjuvanted with AS03 has an acceptable safety profile with no vaccine-related serious adverse events. Two-dose immunization with GBP510 adjuvanted with AS03 induced potent humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2.