Safety and Efficacy Study of Angiotensin Therapeutic Vaccine in Subjects With Mild to Moderate Hypertension

Angiotensin Therapeutic Vaccine (ATV), which contains the novel adjuvant, CoVaccine HT™ , is being developed for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension), a major risk factor for serious diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. Many patients with high blood pressure fail to take their medicines as prescribed because they generally feel well, which often results in poor control of the condition. As a result, it is estimated that about 70% patients with hypertension do not have their blood pressure adequately controlled despite advances in the treatment of high blood pressure.

The main aim of this study is to find out if an injection of ATV given in the arm once every 3 weeks on 3 occasions results in lowering overall blood pressure measurements throughout the day. The other aims are to find out if ATV is safe and to see how well it is tolerated

One of the causes of hypertension is overactivity of the renin angiotensin system, the main mechanism by which the human body regulates its sodium and water balance. An enzyme called renin cleaves a peptide from the protein angiotensinogen, releasing angiotensin I (AI), which is then converted to a peptide hormone called angiotensin II (AII) by the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II is a hormone which is a powerful vasoconstrictor and increases blood flow to vital organs. Angiotensin Therapeutic Vaccine acts by inducing antibodies which bind to angiotensin, so suppressing its actions.

ATV may offer a way of improving control of blood pressure by increasing patient compliance with treatment. Infrequent vaccinations may provide a sustained reduction in blood pressure and afford a desirable, slow onset of action. Such a vaccine could provide an adjunct to and possibly a replacement for existing therapy in some patients, particularly where patient compliance is likely to be a problem.

This study will determine if three injections of ATV given over the period of six weeks will reduce daytime BP as measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

The study is split into 2 stages Stage A and Stage B.

The rationale behind Stage A is to closely evaluate the safety and tolerability of ATV in a small number of subjects prior to enroling the majority of subjects into the remaining portion of the study. Stage A will include a minimum of 12 subjects who will receive each of their three injections at a dedicated Phase 1 facility with access to critical care facilities.

Based on the safety profile of the stage A subjects, a recommendation will be made by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Committee on whether to proceed to Stage B.

Stage B will include approximately 112 subjects. As safety and tolerability will have been closely assessed in Stage A, Stage B subjects will be monitored less closely and will be recruited from a number of sites in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria (at randomisation):

1. Competent to provide written informed consent
2. 35-70 years old
3. Body Mass Index (BMI) 19 to 33 kg/m2
4. Mild to moderate hypertension per British Hypertension Society (BHS) Guidelines BHS-IV based on the following criteria of sitting blood pressure for subjects without diabetes or renal dysfunction.
5. Average sitting morning DBP 90 to 109 mmHg and SBP 140 to 179 mmHg and have responded positively to a quinapril challenge.

Principal exclusion criteria:

1. Women of childbearing potential: defined to be not surgically sterile and \<2 y post-menopausal
2. Average sitting SBP of \>180 mmHg or DBP of \>110 mmHg.
3. A BP difference between left and right arm greater than 20 mmHg for SBP and 10 mmHg for DBP which is present on 3 consecutive readings.
4. Left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction as evidenced by a known LV ejection fraction \<40% or symptomatic congestive heart failure requiring treatment.
5. HbA1c \>7.0% or a history of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
6. Haemoglobin \<12 g/dL at Screening.
7. Hypo- or hyperthyroidism
8. Serum alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase \>2X ULN.
9. Other identifiable secondary causes of hypertension
10. Myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, or a cerebrovascular accident within 6 months of Screening.
11. Bradycardia \<50 beats per minute at rest in the supine position prior to randomisation.
12. Have sick sinus syndrome or second or third degree atrioventricular block, chronic atrial fibrillation or recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia (including paroxysmal atrial tachycardia), history of recurrent ventricular tachycardia, or symptomatic bradycardia.
13. Implanted pacemakers or cardioverter defibrillator.
14. Haemodynamically significant valvular heart disease.
15. History of renal dysfunction and/or estimated glomerular filtration rate \<60 mL/min/1.73 m2.
16. Diagnosis or recurrence of malignancy within the past 3 years, with the exception of basal cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ carcinoma of the cervix.
17. Sleep apnea unless a recent (within 30 days of Screening) sleep study demonstrates no recordings of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) \<90%, treated or untreated, at any time during the Screening Period.
18. Perform alternating shift or night work.
19. Not on stable doses of all concomitant medications for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to Screening, and subjects treated with any of the following prohibited medications:

    * Oral corticosteroids within 3 months of Screening.
    * Acetylsalicylic acid in excess of 325 mg per day.
    * Chronic stable or unstable use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) other than acetylsalicylic acid is prohibited.
    * Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, if a subject is not compliant with the medication and/or has not been receiving a stable dose for at least 3 months prior to Screening.
    * Tricyclic antidepressants, if a subject is not compliant with the medication and/or has not been receiving a stable dose for at least 3 months prior to Screening.
    * Any angiotensin vaccine, including prior exposure to ATV.
20. Have participated in a clinical study involving another investigational drug or device within 4 weeks of Screening.
21. Any concomitant condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may adversely affect the safety and/or efficacy of the study drug or severely limit the subject's ability to complete the study (eg, disabling or terminal illness, mental disorders).
22. Any major contraindication to stopping antihypertension medications for a period of up to 14 weeks.
23. Previous exposure to CoVaccine HT adjuvant, or other keyhole limpet haemocyanin-containing vaccines.
24. Previous serious reaction to a vaccine, such as angioedema or anaphylaxis.
25. Known history of drug and/or alcohol abuse and those known to be hepatitis positive.