A Clinical Study of the HIV Drug CPT31 in Healthy Volunteers

This first-in-human study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, immunogenicity, and pharmacokinetics of the HIV entry inhibitor CPT31 (cholesterol-PIE12-2-trimer) in healthy adults. This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, single ascending dose study.

This is a single subcutaneous (SC) dose study. Doses will be administered in an escalating manner following satisfactory review by a Protocol Safety Review Team (PSRT) of the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic (PK) data through Day 6 from the lower dose levels. 32 healthy subjects will be studied in 4 groups (Groups A1 to A4).

This study will comprise a placebo-controlled, double-blind, single-dose, sequential-group design in healthy subjects. Each subject will participate in 1 treatment period and reside in the Clinical Research Unit (CRU) from Day -1 through Day 6. It is planned for 6 subjects per dose level group to receive SC CPT31 and 2 subjects to receive matching placebo. Each group will be divided into 2 cohorts, with each cohort being dosed 72 hours apart. Sentinel dosing will take place in the first cohort, which will comprise 2 subjects, with 1 subject receiving CPT31 and 1 subject receiving placebo. The second cohort will comprise 6 subjects, with 5 subjects receiving CPT31 and 1 subject receiving placebo. Blood samples for PK analysis and assessment of immunogenicity will be collected predose and up to 5 days postdose, with an additional immunogenicity sample taken at the Follow-up visit.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Males or females, of any race, between 18 and 55 years of age, inclusive.
* Body mass index between 18.0 and 32.0 kg/m2, inclusive.
* In good health, determined by no clinically significant findings from medical and surgical history, physical examination, 12 lead ECG, vital signs measurements, and clinical laboratory evaluations (congenital nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia \[e.g., suspicion of Gilbert's syndrome based on total and direct bilirubin\] is not acceptable) at Screening and/or Day -1 as assessed by the Investigator (or designee).
* Females will not be pregnant or have been within the previous 3 months, or lactating, and females of childbearing potential and males will agree to use contraception.
* Able to comprehend and willing to sign an Informed Consent Form (ICF) and to abide by the study restrictions.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Significant history or clinical manifestation of any metabolic, allergic, dermatological, hepatic, renal, hematological, pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, respiratory, endocrine, or psychiatric disorder, as determined by the Investigator (or designee).
* A ≥Grade 2 laboratory abnormality at Screening or Day -1 as defined by the Division of AIDS Table for Grading the Severity of Adult and Pediatric Adverse Events, Version 2.1 dated July 2017.
* Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR per CKD-Epi equation) of \<90 ml/min/1.73 m2.
* Known sensitivity to CPT31 or any of its components.
* History of significant hypersensitivity, intolerance, or allergy to any drug compound, food, or other substance, unless approved by the Investigator (or designee).
* History of alcoholism or drug/chemical abuse within 2 years prior to Day -1.
* Alcohol consumption of \> 21 units per week for males and \> 14 units for females. One unit of alcohol equals 12 oz (360 mL) beer, 1½ oz (45 mL) liquor, or 5 oz (150 mL) wine.
* Positive urine drug screen at Screening or positive alcohol breath test result or positive urine drug screen on Day -1.
* Positive HIV test as documented by Combo Ag/Ab HIV 1/HIV-2 immunoassay.
* Positive hepatitis B surface antigen, positive hepatitis B core antibody with negative hepatitis B surface antibody test result, or positive hepatitis C antibody at Screening or within 3 months before first dose of study treatment.
* Participation in a clinical study involving administration of an investigational drug in the past 30 days prior to dosing.
* Use or intend to use any prescription or over the counter medications/products (including HIV medications being used for pre-exposure prophylaxis) other than hormone replacement therapy, oral, implantable, transdermal, injectable, or intrauterine contraceptives or acetaminophen up to 2 grams per day for no more than 3 consecutive days within 14 days prior to dosing, unless deemed acceptable by the Investigator (or designee).
* Use of tobacco or nicotine containing products within 3 months prior to Day -1, or positive cotinine at Screening or Day -1.
* Receipt of blood products within 2 months prior to Day -1.
* Donation of blood from 3 months prior to Screening, plasma from 2 weeks prior to Screening, or platelets from 6 weeks prior to Screening.
* Poor peripheral venous access.
* Have previously completed or withdrawn from this study or any other study investigating CPT31 and have previously received the investigational product.
* Subjects who, in the opinion of the Investigator (or designee), should not participate in this study.
* Have any clinically significant abnormal ECG results constituting a risk while taking the investigational product, as determined by the Investigator, such as any of the following, as determined by single 12-lead ECG: QT interval corrected for heart rate using Fridericia's method (QTcF) \>450 ms for males and \>470 ms for females, confirmed by calculating the mean of the original value and 2 repeats; QRS duration \>120 ms confirmed by calculating the mean of the original value and 2 repeats; PR interval \>220 ms confirmed by calculating the mean of the original value and 2 repeats; findings which would make QTc measurements difficult or QTc data uninterpretable; history of additional risk factors for torsades de pointes (e.g., heart failure, hypokalemia, family history of long QT syndrome); risks related to bradycardia, for example, second or third degree atrioventricular block or sick sinus syndrome.