A Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of an Alphavirus Replicon Vaccine for Influenza

AVX502, an alphavirus replicon vaccine expressing an influenza HA protein, is a candidate vaccine against influenza.

The objectives of this Phase 1 study are to test the safety of the vaccine and the immune response to the vaccine in healthy volunteers 18-40 years of age. Volunteers will be assigned by randomization to receive either the vaccine or an inactive substance (placebo) by injections in each arm on one or two occasions over 2 months. The study will last 4 months and will have a total of 8 visits.

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1/2 study of the safety and immunogenicity of AVX502 vaccine at two dosage levels and two routes of administration in healthy volunteers conducted at a single research center. A total of 216 participants will be enrolled. Participants will be randomized to receive active vaccine at one of two dosage levels or placebo in a 4:4:1 ratio. Within each active dosage level or placebo subgroup, participants will be randomized to receive their injections by either IM or SC injection in a 1:1 ratio, and will also be randomized to receive either 1 injection (at Week 0) or 2 injections (1 at each of two visits at Weeks 0 and 8) in a 1:1 ratio. Vaccine will be administered by a study nurse in an outpatient setting and all participants will be followed for 4 months after the first immunization. Safety data will include local and systemic reactogenicity after each dose of vaccine, collected in a systematic format using a subject memory aid and a standard grading scale, specific safety laboratory parameters and general AEs. Immunogenicity data will be obtained by collecting blood at defined time points before and after immunization and separating serum (for measurement of antibodies to HA by ELISA and hemagglutination inhibition assays and to the vaccine vector by a VRP neutralization assay) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBC) (for measurement of cellular immune responses to HA peptides).

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Between 18 and 40 years of age, inclusive;
2. Good general health without significant physical examination findings or clinically significant abnormal laboratory results;
3. Available to participate for the entire study period of approximately 4 months;
4. For women of childbearing potential, a negative urine pregnancy test at screening and before each immunization, and agreement to consistently use contraception from 28 days prior to enrollment until the last protocol visit, for sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy;
5. Acceptable laboratory parameters: hemoglobin ≥ 11.2 g/dL for women, ≥ 12.8 g/dL for men, white blood cell count 3,300 - 12,000 cells/mm3, platelet count 125,000 - 550,000/mm3, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) within normal range for study laboratory, serum creatinine within normal range for study laboratory, normal urine dipstick (negative glucose, negative hemoglobin, and negative or trace protein), negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) blood tests, negative HIV blood test;
6. Willingness to have blood stored for up to 10 years for use in additional assays to evaluate immune responses to influenza or the alphavirus vector if such assays become available
7. Willingness to participate in the study as evidenced by signed informed consent obtained before screening.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Venous access deemed inadequate for the phlebotomy demands of the study;
2. Women who are breast feeding;
3. In female subjects, a positive urine pregnancy test at screening or on the day of any vaccine injection;
4. Receipt of any influenza vaccine within 12 months prior to enrollment;
5. Receipt of any other vaccine within 30 days prior to enrollment;
6. Use of any investigational agent within 30 days prior to enrollment;
7. Receipt of immunoglobulin or blood products within 60 days prior to enrollment;
8. Use of cytotoxic medications within 6 months prior to enrollment;
9. Use of systemic corticosteroids within 6 months prior to enrollment (except that participants who have completed a course of prednisone, at up to 20 mg per day for up to 7 days, at least 1 month prior to enrollment are eligible for enrollment);
10. Presence of any factor that places the individual at increased risk for severe complications from influenza;
11. History of serious adverse reactions to any vaccine, including anaphylaxis and related symptoms such as hives, respiratory difficulty, angioedema or abdominal pain;
12. History of autoimmune disease;
13. History of splenectomy;
14. History of malignancy within the last 3 years (except that participants with a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma of the skin are eligible for enrollment);
15. Psychiatric condition that may interfere with the ability to comply with the protocol requirements. Specifically excluded are persons with history of psychosis within the past 3 years or history of suicidal attempt or gesture within the past 3 years;
16. History of medical, occupational or family problems as a result of alcohol or illicit drug use during the past 12 months;
17. Any condition which leads the investigator to believe that the participant cannot comply with the protocol requirements or that may place the participant at an unacceptable risk for participation.