Phase 3 Infant Safety & Immunogenicity Trial of MVA-BN® in DRC

This Phase 3 double-blinded, randomized study aims to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the two-dose MVA-BN mpox vaccine regimen, administered subcutaneously, in infants and children aged 4 to 24 months in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a population at high risk of mpox infection and complications. The study will compare the safety and immunogenicity of a full-dose regimen versus a half-dose regimen in this population. A hierarchical testing strategy will be applied as follows: first, non-inferiority of the full-dose regimen in infants/children (4-24 months old) will be evaluated against the full-dose regimen in adults from the POX-MVA-045 study. If non-inferiority is demonstrated, the immunogenicity of the half dose in infants/children (4-24 months old) will subsequently be tested for non-inferiority vs the full dose in adult. The trial will be conducted in Boende, Tshuapa Province, DRC.

The trial plans to enroll 344 male and female infants/children, who will be randomized to receive two doses of the MVA-BN vaccine administered 28 days apart. Participants in Child Group 1 (N=172) will receive the standard vaccine dose (0.5 mL), while those in Child Group 2 (N=172) will receive half the standard dose (0.25 mL), with both groups following the same dosing schedule.

This study builds on positive safety and immunogenicity data from prior trials that support the use of the standard dose regimen in younger children. However, considering the developmental differences in the immune systems of infants and young children/adolescents, it aims to evaluate whether a half-dose regimen can provide similar immunogenicity while potentially reducing reactogenicity. The findings will offer valuable insights into the optimal dosing strategy for this age group, balancing safety and immunogenicity to inform future vaccination recommendations.

This Phase 3 double-blinded, randomised study aims to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the MVA-BN mpox vaccine regimen, administered subcutaneously, in infants and children aged 4 to 24 months in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a population at high risk of mpox infection. The study will compare the safety and immunogenicity of a full-dose regimen versus a half-dose regimen. A hierarchical testing strategy will be applied as follows: first, non-inferiority of the full-dose regimen in infants/children (4-24 months old) will be evaluated against the full-dose regimen in adults from the POX-MVA-045 study. If non-inferiority is demonstrated, the immunogenicity of the half dose in infants/children (4-24 months old) will subsequently be tested for non-inferiority vs the full dose in adult.

The study will be conducted at the General Reference Hospital of Boende, Tshuapa Province, DRC.

The trial plans to enroll 344 male and female infants/children, who will be randomized to receive two doses of the MVA-BN vaccine administered 28 days apart. Participants in Child Group 1 (N=172) will receive the standard dose of the MVA-BN vaccine (1x10⁸ TCID50 Inf.U./0.5mL), while those in Child Group 2 (N=172) will receive half the standard dose (0.5x10⁸ TCID50 Inf.U./0.5mL). Participants randomized to receive the full dose will receive 0.5 mL of the MVA-BN vaccine, while participants randomized to receive the half dose will receive 0.25 mL of the MVA-BN vaccine.

During the screening visit, parents or legal guardians of the infant/child will provide informed consent and must pass a test of understanding (TOU) to confirm eligibility, with up to three attempts permitted. Demographics, medical history, and vaccination history will be recorded. A basic physical examination will be performed to assess general appearance, key organ systems, growth measurements (weight, length, and head circumference), neurological reflexes, and behavior. Vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and blood pressure) will also be measured, and an HIV test will be performed.

Randomization will occur after eligibility is confirmed. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups through a double-blind randomization design. A block randomization method will ensure balanced allocation between the two groups, with randomization lists securely provided to unblinded personnel responsible for vaccine preparation. Blinding procedures will ensure that neither parents/legal guardians nor reactogenicity investigators know the group assignments.

Whenever possible, the first vaccine dose (Day 0) will be administered on the same day as the screening visit. However, vaccination may be postponed if the child has a fever or acute infection.

On Day 0, participants will undergo a physical examination, and their vital signs and vaccination/medication history will be assessed. A malaria test will be performed. Blood samples will be collected for baseline immunogenicity testing, including neutralizing antibodies, total binding antibodies, and IgG-binding antibodies.

Participants will then receive their first vaccine dose, administered subcutaneously (standard or half dose, based on randomization). Parents/legal guardians will be provided with a participant journal to document solicited AEs (e.g., pain, swelling, redness at the injection site, fever, irritability) and unsolicited AEs.

On day seven (Day 7), the Parents/legal guardians will be asked to return with the participant journal to report the data on (un)solicited AEs collected during the week after the first dose. Ongoing AEs will continue to be followed until resolution.

On Day 28, participants will undergo a physical examination, and their vital signs, vaccination history, and medication history will be reviewed, and malaria test will be performed. Parents/legal guardians will be asked about unsolicited AEs since the first vaccination. If no concerns are identified, participants will receive the second vaccine dose, and a new participant journal will be provided to document any AEs.

On Day 35, the Parents/legal guardians will be asked to return with the participant journal to report the data on (un)solicited AEs collected during the week after the second dose. Ongoing AEs will continue to be followed until resolution.

On Day 42, Participants will have a physical examination, including assessments of growth, developmental milestones, and general health. Blood samples will be collected to assess neutralising antibodies and total binding antibodies.

Day 56 any unsolicited AEs occurring between Day 35 and Day 56 will be followed up via telephone call or home visit.

On Day 208 (6 months after the second dose), Participants will return for a follow-up assessments, including a physical examination and evaluations of growth and developmental milestones. Vaccination and medication history will also be reviewed. Blood samples will be collected to assess long-term immune responses, including neutralizing antibodies and (total) binding antibodies.

On Day 395 (one year after the second dose), the final follow-up visit will focus on a comprehensive physical examination of the infant/child. Blood samples will be collected to assess long-term immune responses, including neutralizing antibodies and (total) binding antibodies.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. The participant must be between 4 and 24 months old upon enrolment.
2. The participant's parent or legal guardian must pass (≥9/10) the TOU after being advised of the risks and benefits of the trial in a language understood by the parent/guardian and before performing any trial-specific procedures.

   - Note: If the participant's parent or guardian fails the TOU test on the first attempt, he/she must be retrained on the purpose of the study and must take the test again (2 repeats are allowed). If the participant's parent/guardian fails on the third attempt, the screening or consenting procedures should not continue.
3. The participant's parent or guardian must sign and date the informed consent form after reading the form and being advised of the risks and benefits of the trial in a language understood by the participant and before performing any trial-specific procedures.
4. The participant must live in the Boende health zone or its surrounding health zones in the Tshuapa province of the DRC.
5. The participant must be generally healthy in the investigator's clinical judgment and on the basis of vital signs assessed at day 1 screening with no severe (chronic) conditions (as far as medically known) that might interfere with vaccine assessment.

   - Note: HIV-positive subjects can be enrolled as long as their general condition is good, i.e., they are on antiretroviral treatment or have no signs or symptoms of immunosuppression, diagnosed on the basis of physical examination, medical history, and the investigator's clinical judgment.
6. The participant's parent(s) or guardian(s) of the child must agree to follow the study protocol, including attending follow-up visits and reporting any adverse events.
7. The participant must be available and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) must be willing to have their child participate for the duration of the study.

The participant's parent(s) or guardian(s) must be willing to provide verifiable identification and have means to be contacted (phone number or address).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. The child is excluded if their mother received the MVA-BN vaccine during her pregnancy with the child or during the immediate postpartum period while breastfeeding the child.
2. Known history of cowpox, mpox or vaccinia infection.
3. Close contact in the 2 weeks prior to signing the ICF with anyone known to have mpox.
4. Known history of or active autoimmune disease (vitiligo or thyroid disease requiring thyroid replacement are not exclusions), history of Guillain-Barré syndrome or Reye's syndrome.
5. Having received any smallpox or licensed or investigational poxvirus-based (e.g. ACAM2000, MVA-BN based like MVA-BN-Filo) vaccine in the past.
6. Must not have received another experimental or non-licensed vaccine within 4 weeks before receiving the MVA-BN vaccine and during the trial.
7. Known allergy or history of anaphylaxis or other severe adverse reactions to vaccines or vaccine products (including any of the constituents of the study vaccines), including known allergy to egg, egg products and aminoglycosides.
8. History of allergic disease or reactions likely to be exacerbated by any component of the vaccine, e.g., tris(hydroxymethyl)-amino methane, including a history of allergic asthma.
9. Acute or chronic medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would render the trial procedures unsafe or would interfere with the evaluation of responses, including but not limited to neurologic, cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatic, hematologic, rheumatologic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal, autoimmune, or immunosuppressive conditions.

   - Note: Participants with minor acute illnesses such as mild diarrhoea or mild upper respiratory tract infection or temperature ≥38.0ºC at screening will be excluded from enrolment at that time but may be rescheduled for re-screening later if feasible.
10. Presence of significant medical conditions or clinically significant findings at screening or vital signs for which, in the opinion of the gynaecologist, participation would not be in the best interest of the participant (e.g., compromise the safety or well-being) or that could prevent, limit, or confound the protocol-specified assessments.

    * Note: Participants who have recently received treatment for acute, uncomplicated malaria are eligible for participation if at least 3 days have elapsed from the conclusion of a standard, recommended course of therapy for malaria; participants who are acutely ill with malaria at the time of screening should complete therapy and wait an additional 3 days after completion before screening for the study.
    * Note: Participants with sickle cell trait can be included.
11. History of malignancy (e.g., leukaemia, lymphoma).
12. Chronic administration (defined as more than 14 days) of systemic high dose immune-suppressant drugs (2 mg/kg/day or more of prednisolone or its equivalent or 20 mg/day or more for children who weigh more than 10 kg) from 6 months prior to first trial vaccination to trial conclusion.

    - Note: Participants receiving antiretroviral (ARV) medication for the management of HIV infection are eligible for inclusion, provided they meet inclusion criterion 5.
13. Major surgery (per the investigator's judgment) within the 4 weeks before screening or planned major surgery during the study (from the start of screening onwards).
14. Post-organ and/or stem cell transplant, whether or not with chronic immunosuppressive therapy.
15. Administration or planned administration of immunoglobulins and/or any blood products from 3 months prior to the first trial vaccination until the visit at the end of the active trial period (packed red blood cells given for an emergency indication in an otherwise healthy person and not required as ongoing treatment is not exclusionary \[e.g., packed red blood cells given in an emergency during elective surgery\]).
16. Received an investigational or nonregistered drug or vaccine or used an invasive investigational or nonregistered medical device within 30 days prior to vaccination or current or planned participation in another clinical study during the study.

    - Note: Participation in an observational clinical study is allowed.
17. History of chronic urticaria (recurrent hives).
18. The parent/legal guardian has employment with the investigator or study site, with direct involvement in the proposed study or other studies under the direction of that investigator or study site, or relationship to the investigator or study site employee.