Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Observer-blinded Phase 1 Safety and Immunogenicity Study of Inactivated Zika Virus Vaccine Candidate in Healthy Adults

In this Phase 1 study, two target dose levels of VLA1601, a purified, inactivated, whole Zika virus (ZIKV) vaccine candidate adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide (alum) will be evaluated: 6 antigen units (AU) and 3 AU of inactivated ZIKV vaccine. Each dose will be administered intramuscularly (i.m.) in the deltoid muscle on Days 0 and 28. In addition, an accelerated 2-dose vaccination schedule on Days 0 and 7 will be assessed for both doses.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subject is 18 to 49 years of age on the day of screening (Visit 0);
2. Subject has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥18.5 and \<30 kg/m2 on the day of screening (Visit 0);
3. Subject has an understanding of the study and its procedures, agrees to its provisions, and gives written informed consent prior to any study-related procedures;
4. Subject is generally healthy as determined by the Investigator's clinical judgment based on medical history, physical examination and screening laboratory tests;
5. If subject is of childbearing potential:

   i. Subject has a negative serum pregnancy test at screening (Visit 0);

ii. Subject agrees to employ adequate birth control measures for the duration of the study. This includes one of the following measures:

1. Hormonal contraceptives (e.g. implants, birth control pills, patches) since ≥30 days prior to first vaccination;
2. Intrauterine device;
3. Barrier type of birth control measure (e.g. condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps);
4. Vasectomy in the male sex partner ≥3 months prior to first vaccination;

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subject has a history of known flavivirus infection, or vaccination with a licensed or investigational flavivirus vaccine;
2. Subject has plans to receive a licensed flavivirus vaccine during the course of the study;
3. Subject has plans to travel to areas (including within the US) with active ZIKV, Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), Dengue Virus (DENV) or Yellow Fever Virus (YFV) transmission during the course of the study or has travelled to a flavivirus-endemic area within 4 weeks prior to study enrollment;
4. Subject is seropositive to ZIKV, JEV, DENV or West Nile virus (WNV);
5. Subject has received an inactivated vaccine within 2 weeks or live vaccine within 4 weeks prior to vaccination in this study;
6. Subject has clinically significant abnormal laboratory values, as determined by the Investigator, at screening (Visit 0);
7. Subject tests positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis C virus (HCV);
8. Subject currently has or has a history of significant cardiovascular, respiratory (including asthma), metabolic, neurological (including Guillain-Barré syndrome), hepatic, rheumatic, autoimmune, hematological, gastrointestinal or renal disorder;
9. Subject has a disease or is undergoing a form of treatment or was undergoing a form of treatment within 4 weeks prior to study enrollment (i.e. subject randomized) that can be expected to influence immune response. Such treatment includes, but is not limited to, systemic or high dose inhaled (\>800 μg/day of beclomethasone dipropionate or equivalent) corticosteroids, radiation treatment or other immunosuppressive or cytotoxic drugs (use of inhaled (low dose), intranasal or topical steroids is permitted);
10. Subject has a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions or anaphylaxis;
11. Subject has a history of any vaccine related contraindicating event (e.g., anaphylaxis, allergy to components of the candidate vaccine, other known contraindications);
12. Subject had acute febrile infections within two weeks prior to vaccination in this study;
13. Subject has donated blood within 30 days or received blood-derived products (e.g. plasma) within 90 days prior to vaccination in this study or plans to donate blood or use blood products during the course of the study;
14. Subject has a rash, dermatological condition or tattoos that would, in the opinion of the Investigator, interfere with injection site reaction rating;
15. Subject is currently enrolled or has participated in another clinical study involving an investigational medicinal product (IMP) or device within 30 days prior to study enrollment or is scheduled to participate in another clinical study involving an IMP or investigational device during the course of this study;
16. Subject has plans to become pregnant during the course of the study, or is pregnant (positive serum pregnancy test at screening) or lactating at the time of study enrollment;
17. Subject has a known or suspected problem with alcohol or drug abuse as determined by the Investigator;
18. Subject is committed to an institution (by virtue of an order issued either by the judicial or the administrative authorities);
19. Subject is a member of the team conducting this study or is in a dependent relationship with one of the study team members. Dependent relationships include close relatives (i.e., children, partner/spouse, siblings, parents) as well as employees of the Investigator or site personnel conducting the study;
20. Subject has any condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may compromise the subject's well-being, might interfere with evaluation of study endpoints, or would limit the subject's ability to complete the study.