A Clinical Trial of COVAC-1, a COVID-19 Vaccine, in Generally Healthy Adults

VIDO has developed a vaccine called COVAC-1.

The study vaccine contains a portion of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, called S1. The spike protein is the part of the virus that is responsible for attaching to the surface of host cells. COVAC-1 contains an adjuvant called TriAdj. An adjuvant is a compound that is added to a vaccine to help the vaccine produce a better immune response. The TriAdj adjuvant is made up of three components (a toll-like receptor agonist polyI:C, an immunostimulatory host defense protein HDP IDR-1002 and a polyphosphazene carrier system, PCEP). The three components work together to improve the body's response to the S1 protein. The COVAC-1 vaccine is expected to stimulate the body to make antibodies against the S1 protein. The antibodies will recognize the viral spike protein if the body is exposed to the virus and prevent or reduce the severity of COVID-19 illness. In animal studies, the immune response generated by the COVAC-1 vaccine was able to protect the vaccinated animals against a severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Phase 1 is a multi-centred, multi-national trial of the COVAC-1 vaccine to be completed in Canada and Brazil. It will be a randomized, observer-blinded, and placebo-controlled study to assess the safety and immunogenicity of two dosing levels (25 and 50 µg S1 protein) administered twice (4 weeks apart) in healthy adults 18 through 54 years of age (Arm 1a) and 55 years of age and older (Arm 1b).

Enrolment and vaccination of participants will be staggered over time based on vaccine dose. Study participants aged 18 to 54 and those \>55 years of age will commence in parallel at the starting dose of 25 ug and after approval by Sponsor based upon recommendations from the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), new study participants will be allowed to receive the higher dose of 50 ug. Approval will also be sought from Sponsor, based on recommendations provided by the DSMB, to proceed with the second dose in each dosing and age group.

Within the same age group, the 8 participants receiving the lower dose are randomized with 4 participants receiving placebo and the 8 participants receiving the highest dose are randomized with 4 participants receiving placebo.

Within each dose level of 12 participants, it is proposed to immunize a first cohort of 3 participants (including at least 2 active vaccine participants) and pending no holding rule is met after 48 hours, as determined by the 48-hour-post-dose 1 phone call, to immunize the remaining 9 participants within that dose level. Every attempt will be made to fully enroll all age groups.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Generally healthy male and female adults aged 18 years of age or older at the time of signing the informed consent form (i.e., 18 to 54 for Arm 1a and ≥55 for Arm 1b);
2. Good general health as determined by screening evaluation no greater than 30 days before injection of first dose; Note: Participants who are overtly healthy as determined by medical evaluation or are considered medically stable according to the judgment of the Investigator. A stable medical condition is defined as disease not requiring significant change in therapy or hospitalization for worsening disease during the 3 months prior to enrolment, and/or hospitalization within the entire study period is not anticipated. Also, the participant appears likely to be able to remain in follow-up through the end of protocol-specified period. Mild to moderate well-controlled comorbidities are allowed.
3. If female of child-bearing potential and heterosexually active, practice of adequate contraception for 30 days prior to injection, negative pregnancy test on the day of injection, and agreement to continue adequate contraception until 180 days after the second injection and;
4. Written informed consent, after review of the consent form and having adequate opportunity to discuss the study with an Investigator or a qualified designee.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of any febrile illness or any known or suspected acute illness on the day of any immunization;
2. Any immunodeficiency (congenital or acquired) disease, disorder, or finding that may significantly increase the risk of study participant or, in the Investigator's judgment, make the participant inappropriate for the study;
3. Clinically significant bleeding disorder (e.g., clotting factor deficiency, coagulopathy or platelet disorder), or prior history of significant bleeding or bruising following IM injections or venipuncture;
4. Receiving systemic immunosuppressive therapy or history of receiving chemotherapy in last 5 years other than topical agents;
5. Receipt of systemic glucocorticoids (a dose ≥ 20 mg/day prednisone or equivalent for 14 days) within 1 month, or any other cytotoxic or immunosuppressive drug within 6 months prior to injection of first dose;
6. Cancer diagnosis in the last 5 years, excluding basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, which are allowed;
7. Presence of autoimmune disease;
8. Receipt of any investigational drug within 6 months;
9. Receipt of any non-COVID-19 authorized vaccines within 2 weeks of receiving study dose injection;
10. Receipt of any authorized COVID-19 vaccine prior to study enrollment;
11. Receipt of any other experimental SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 or other experimental coronavirus vaccine(s) at any time prior to or during the study;
12. Receipt of blood products or immunoglobulin (IVIg or IMIg) within 3 months of study entry/baseline serologic evaluation;
13. Current anti-tuberculosis therapy;
14. History of any reaction or hypersensitivity likely to be exacerbated by any component of the study vaccine;
15. Hematologic or biochemical laboratory abnormalities (blood or urine), as defined by lab normal ranges. To exclude transient abnormalities, the Investigator may repeat a test once, and if the repeat test is normal according to local reference ranges, participant may be enrolled. Grade 1 abnormalities of laboratory values will not be exclusionary if considered not clinically significant by the Investigator. And;
16. Known current or previous laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-1 OR SARS-CoV-2 infection, as documented by a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test from a nasal swab OR known or laboratory-confirmed positive serology.