A Study to Evaluate Safety & Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 DNA Vaccine Delivered Intramuscularly Followed by Electroporation for COVID-19

To investigate the safety and immunogenicity profile of of a novel and investigational SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine, which is delivered intramuscularly followed by electroporation to enhance vaccine penetration, as a potential prophylactic vaccine for current pandemic disease COVID-19.

This is a first-in-human, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study which comprises two cohorts. Each subject will receive 2 vaccinations 3 weeks apart at one of the 2 dose levels or matching placebo. Each subject will only participate in one cohort. The approximate duration for each subject's participation in the study (from screening to Day 50(±3) visit) is 2.5 months.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Informed Consent: The subject (or the subject's legally acceptable representative, if applicable) must be capable of giving written informed consent and, prior to the commencement of any study-specific procedure, must sign an ICF indicating the consent on the subject's voluntary participation in the study and compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed on the ICF.
2. Gender and Age: Male or female, at the age of ≥ 18 and ≤ 55 on the day of signing the ICF.
3. Body Weight and BMI: Body weight ≥ 50 kg and BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2 and \< 25 kg/m2 at screening and baseline.
4. Medical Conditions or Diagnoses: Existence of all of the following medical conditions or diagnoses:

   1. Generally in good health with no clinically significant abnormality, as determined by medical history, physical examination, 12-lead ECG and clinical laboratory tests at screening and baseline;
   2. Normal vital signs at screening and baseline, as defined by:

      * Body (tympanic) temperature ≤ 37.5oC;
      * Resting pulse rate ≥ 50 and ≤ 100 bpm; and
      * DBP ≥ 50 and ≤ 90 mmHg and SBP ≥ 90 and ≤ 140 mmHg.
5. Contraception: Willingness and agreement to undertake measures to avoid pregnancy of the subject or the subject's sexual partner(s) as detailed below:

   1. A female subject who is a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must be willing and agree to remain abstinent or practise at least one effective contraceptive method from at least 30 days prior to the first vaccination until 60 days after the second vaccination;
   2. A male subject (i) who is sexually active with a WOCBP (except who is permanently sterile by bilateral orchiectomy or vasectomy) must be willing and agree to remain abstinent or practise at least one effective contraceptive method from the first vaccination until 60 days after the second vaccination; and (ii) must be willing and agree to refrain from sperm donation during the aforesaid period.
6. Breastfeeding: A female subject must be willing and agree to avoid engagement in breastfeeding at any time from the first vaccination until 60 days after the second vaccination.
7. Blood Donation: Willingness and agreement to avoid blood donation from screening to the end of the period of participation in this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Medical History: History of any of the following diseases or conditions:

   1. COVID-19;
   2. SARS;
   3. Any significant respiratory diseases (e.g. COPD, asthma);
   4. Any significant cardiovascular disease (e.g. angina, cardiac arrhythmias);
   5. Blood dyscrasias or any significant disorder of coagulation;
   6. Any chronic liver disease (e.g. autoimmune hepatitis and cirrhosis);
   7. Any chronic infection (e.g. hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV);
   8. Any malignant neoplastic disease;
   9. Encephalopathy, neuropathy or unstable central nervous system (CNS) pathology;
   10. Any psychiatric disorder, psychotic disorder, major affective disorder or suicidal ideation;
   11. Any immunodeficiency or autoimmune disease;
   12. Any severe allergic reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) to any vaccine or substance, which requires hospitalization or emergency medical care;
   13. History of alcohol or illicit drug abuse, or used any illicit drug within 6 months prior to screening.
2. Medical Conditions or Diagnoses: Existence of any of the following medical conditions or diagnoses:

   1. Positive serum pregnancy test at screening or positive urine pregnancy test at baseline (for WOCBP);
   2. IgE level \> 1,000 IU/ml at screening;
   3. Positive SARS-CoV-2 test result in serum or deep throat saliva (DTS) within 4 days prior to baseline;
   4. T3, T4 or TSH \< LLN or \> ULN at screening;
   5. Positive HIV test result at screening;
   6. Positive HBsAg test result at screening;
   7. Positive HCV antibody test result at screening;
   8. Positive urine drug screen test result or positive blood alcohol test result at screening or baseline;
   9. Any clinically significant findings (e.g. active or acute cardiac/pulmonary diseases) from chest X-ray examination performed at or within 4 months prior to screening.
3. Prior/Concomitant Interventions: Use of or undergoing any of the following prior or concomitant medications, therapies or interventions:

   1. Any COVID-19 or coronavirus vaccine at any time prior to the first vaccination, or planned use of any such vaccine throughout the study;
   2. Any vaccine other than COVID-19 or coronavirus vaccines within 28 days prior to the first vaccination, or planned use of any such vaccine up to 28 days after the second vaccination;
   3. Any immune-modifying medication/therapy (e.g. immunomodulator and immunosuppressant) within 6 months prior to the first vaccination, or planned use of any such medication/therapy throughout the study;
   4. Any blood product (including blood transfusion) or immunoglobulin within 3 months prior to the first vaccination, or planned use of any such therapy throughout the study;
   5. Any anticoagulation medication within 28 days prior to the first vaccination, or planned use of any such medication up to 28 days after the second vaccination;
   6. Any psychotropic medication within 28 days prior to the first vaccination, or planned use of any such medication up to 28 days after the second vaccination;
   7. Regular use of any topical corticosteroids at or near the intended administration site (upper arm);
   8. Any influenza antiviral medication within 48 hours prior to the first vaccination, or planned use of any such medication up to 14 days after the second vaccination;
   9. Any prescription or over-the-counter medication or supplement product (e.g. vitamin, dietary supplement, herbal preparation) within 7 days prior to the first vaccination, unless with the investigator's approval for managing a chronic condition;
   10. Donated ≥ 450 ml of blood within 28 days prior to the first vaccination.
4. Prior/Concurrent Clinical Study: Prior or concurrent participation in any other clinical study, including:

   1. Prior or current participation in another COVID-19 vaccine study;
   2. Prior participation in any interventional clinical study and use of any investigational intervention within 90 days prior to the first vaccination;
   3. Concurrent participation or plan for participation in another interventional clinical study during participation in this study.
5. Other Significant Medical Conditions: Any clinically significant concomitant disease or condition that, in the reasonable opinion of the investigator, may interfere with the subject's participation in this study or pose an unacceptable safety risk for the subject's participation in this study.
6. Special Conditions: Existence of any of the following special conditions:

   1. Close contact with anyone known to have COVID-19 within 30 days prior to the first vaccination;
   2. Travelled outside Hong Kong within 14 days prior to the first vaccination;
   3. Planned to travel outside Hong Kong at any time during the period from screening to Day 50(±3) visit.