A Phase 2 Influenza A Challenge Study Following Oral Administration of an H1N1 HA Ad-Vector Seasonal Flu Vaccine

A Phase 2 Randomized, Placebo- and Active-Controlled, Human Influenza A/California/04/2009 (H1N1) Challenge Study Following Administration of an Oral H1N1 Hemagglutinin (HA) Adenoviral-Vector Based Seasonal Influenza Vaccine and dsRNA Adjuvant (VXA-A1.1) to Healthy Adult Volunteers.

This is a Phase 2 randomized, placebo- and active-controlled, two-part study in which healthy adult volunteers with low or undetectable pre-existing antibodies against A/California/7/2009(H1N1) pdm09-like virus will be challenged with an influenza A/H1N1 human challenge strain approximately 90 days after vaccination with a single dose of H1N1 HA Adenoviral-vector based seasonal influenza vaccine and dsRNA adjuvant (VXA-A1.1), an injectable QIV vaccine, and/or placebo.

An independent Safety Monitoring Committee (SMC) will oversee the safety of the study.

To accommodate the limited size of the isolation unit that will be utilized for the challenge and post-challenge sequestration period, subjects will move through the study (enrollment, vaccination and challenge) sequentially in a total of 6 cohorts. Each cohort will randomize 30 subjects to obtain approximately 25 subjects per cohort for the challenge phase. Subjects will be randomized in a ratio of 2:2:1 (VXA-A1.1: Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV): Placebo.

The study will be conducted in two parts.

Part A: Subjects will be randomized in a double-blinded manner to receive a single administration of one of three treatment arms:

* Arm 1: VXA-A1.1 oral vaccine + placebo Intramuscular (IM)
* Arm 2: QIV (IM) injection + oral placebo
* Arm 3: Placebo IM injection + oral placebo

Subjects will return to the site for \~8 visits and be contacted remotely at defined time points to be followed for immunogenicity and safety during study Part A.

Part B: Subjects will be challenged with a wild-type influenza A H1 virus strain \~90 days following vaccination. Blood samples will be collected to evaluate immunogenicity. Subjects will remain in the isolation unit for 6 to 9 days post-challenge.

Following challenge, influenza symptoms and signs will be assessed during the sequestration period. Blood samples and nasopharyngeal swab samples will be collected. Vital signs will be measured every 4 hours during waking hours.

After release from the isolation unit subjects will return to the site 30 days post-challenge. Part B will continue for purposes of collecting long term safety follow-up (serious adverse events (SAEs), AEs of special interest (AESIs) and any new onset of chronic illness (NOCI) via phone contacts through 1 year post-vaccination (Day 365).

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female volunteers aged 18 - 49 years, inclusive
2. Able to give written informed consent
3. Low pre-existing antibodies to the study vaccine
4. In general good health (no clinically significant health concerns)
5. Safety laboratory normal range or not clinically significant (NCS), with few exceptions
6. Body mass index (BMI) between 17 and 35
7. Comprehension of the study requirements with ability and willingness to complete all assessments and comply with scheduled visits and contacts
8. Female participants must have a negative pregnancy test at screening

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Receipt of any influenza vaccine within two years prior to study
2. Use of any investigational vaccine/adjuvanted vaccine within 8 weeks of study
3. Use of any investigational drug or device within 4 weeks of study
4. Use of any licensed vaccine within 30 days of study
5. Presence of significant uncontrolled medical or psychiatric illness within 3 months of study
6. Clinically significant and/or protocol defined ECG abnormality
7. Positive serology for HIV-1 or HIV-2, or HBsAg or HCV antibodies
8. Cancer, or treatment for cancer, within 3 years of study
9. History of drug, alcohol or chemical abuse within 1 year
10. Receipt of blood or blood products within 6 months of study
11. Donation of blood within 4 weeks of study
12. Presence of a fever ≥ 38ºC measured orally at baseline
13. Stool sample with occult blood at screening
14. Positive urine drug screen for drugs of abuse at screening
15. Positive breath or urine alcohol test at screening or baseline
16. Consistent/habitual smoking within 2 months prior to vaccination
17. History of serious reactions to any vaccination such as anaphylaxis, respiratory problems, Guillain-Barre syndrome, hives or abdominal pain
18. Asthma, bronchiectasis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
19. Any known allergy or intolerance to oseltamivir