In this trial, we are evaluating the safety and tolerability of a new investigational DNA vaccine to protect against SARS CoV-2 virus, called COVIGEN, that is developed by a company called BioNet-Asia. A device will be used to inject the vaccine that does not require the use of a needle (needle-free injection made by a company called Pharmajet). For delivery into the skin (intradermally) a device called "Tropis" will be used, and for delivery into the muscle (intramuscularly) a device called "Stratis" will be used. This is a 2 part study In Part A vaccine naive participants will be given 2 vaccinations, either two active vaccines or two placebo vaccines on Day 1 and Day 29. COVIGEN C19 vaccine will be used in Part A In Part B participants who have previously received a 2-dose primary COVID vaccine schedule will be given a booster dose of active vaccine. COVIGEN C20 vaccine will be used in Part B. Participants in part A and B will be followed up using a combination of on-site and telephone visits for assessment of safety and immunogenicity for 12 months from 1st vaccination.
Part A Vaccine Naïve participants: The study comprises three dose groups (0.8 mg COVIGEN, administered ID, 2 mg COVIGEN, administered IM and 4 mg COVIGEN, administered IM) with 50 participants in each group. Each group of 50 participants comprises two sub-groups: 25 young adults and 25 older adults. Within each group and within each sub-group, participants will be randomised 4:1 to receive COVIGEN or placebo in a double-blind fashion. Participants will receive 2 study vaccinations, 28 days apart (Day 1 and Day 29). Each dose will be divided into 2 injections, with each injection being administered using a needle free injection system into the upper arm (left and right) at each visit. The study will utilise a sequential dose-escalating design with a 48-hour observation period required for sentinel participants prior to the decision to dose escalate. Enrolment of the remainder of each age cohort will commence at least 48 hours after the last of the sentinel participants has received a vaccine. A Safety Review Committee (SRC) will supervise enrolment and monitoring of participant safety throughout the trial Part B: Vaccine booster participants: The study comprises a single dose group (1.0mg COVIGEN, administered ID) to 50 participants in total, comprising 25 participants who have received a primary course of 2 doses of Pfizer BioNTech vaccine and 25 participants who have received a primary course of 2 doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine. The dose will be divided into 2 injections, with each injection being administered using a needle free injection system into the upper arm (left and right) at each visit. Participants will be followed up using a combination of on-site and telephone visits for assessment of safety and immunogenicity for 12 months from 1st vaccination.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
68
2 doses of COVIGEN C19 0.8 mg ID or Placebo ID will be given at Day 1 and Day 29.
2 doses of COVIGEN C19 2.0 mg IM or Placebo IM will be given at Day 1 and Day 29.
2 doses of COVIGEN C19 4.0 mg IM or Placebo IM will be given at Day 1 and Day 29.
COVIGEN C20 1.0mg ID vaccine will be given at Day 1
Scientia Clinical Research
Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Telethon Kids Institute
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Frequency of solicited local reactogenicity AEs
Percentage of participants with any local reaction (pain, swelling/induration, erythema/redness) for 7 days following each vaccination
Time frame: Through 7 days after each vaccination (Day 1, 29 for Part A and Day 1 for Part B)
Frequency of solicited systemic reactogenicity AEs
Percentage of participants with any systemic reaction (fever, fatigue, chills, myalgia, arthralgia, headache, nausea/vomiting and diarrhea) for 7 days following each vaccination
Time frame: Through 7 days after each vaccination (Day 1, 29 for Part A and Day 1 for Part B)
Frequency of any unsolicited AEs
Percentage of participants with unsolicited AEs up to Day 57
Time frame: Day 1 to Day 57 after the 1st vaccination (Part A) or from Day 1 to Day 29 after booster vaccination (Part B).
Frequency of any serious adverse events (SAEs)
Percentage of participants with SAEs from Day 1 to 12 months after 1st vaccination
Time frame: Day 1 to 12 months after 1st vaccination
Frequency of any medically attended adverse events (MAAES)
Measured by MedDRA classification, severity score and relatedness.
Time frame: From Day 1 to 12 months after the 1st vaccination
Change in safety laboratory values from baseline
Number of participants with abnormal laboratory values (haematology, chemistry and urinalysis) by FDA toxicity scoring.
Time frame: From Day1 to Day 36 in Part A and from Day 1 to Day 8 in Part B
GMTs for serum neutralizing antibody response
Level of neutralizing antibodies as measured by SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization assay
Time frame: At day1, day 29 and day 57 (Part A) and Day 1, Day 8, Day 29 (Part B only);
GMFR from baseline for serum neutralizing antibody response
Measured by SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization assay
Time frame: At day 57 (Part A) or day 29 (Part B)
Seroconversion rate for serum neutralizing antibody response
Defined as proportion of participants with a with a ≥4-fold rise
Time frame: At day 57 compare to baseline for Part A and at day 29 compare to baseline for Part B
GMTs for serum S1- and RBD-specific IgG antibody responses
SARS-CoV-2 anti-S1 and anti-RBD IgG antibody ELISAs
Time frame: At day 1, day 29 and day 57 (Part A) and at Day 1, Day 8, Day 29; (Part B only)
GMFR from baseline for serum S1- and RBD-specific IgG antibody responses
As measured by ELISA
Time frame: At day 57 (Part A) and at day 29 (Part B)
Seroconversion rate serum S1- and RBD-specific IgG antibody responses
Defined as the proportion of participants with a ≥ 4-fold rise
Time frame: At day 57 compare to baseline for Part A and at day 29 compare to baseline for Part B
Geometric means of T-cells (spot-forming cells) producing IFNγ, IL-2, or both for S protein specific IFN-γ and IL-2 T-cell responses
SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein dual IFN-γ and IL-2 T-cell ELISpot (FluoroSpot)
Time frame: At day 1, day 29, and day 57 (Part A) or at Day 1, Day 8, and Day 29 (Part B only)
Fold rise of T-cells (spot-forming cells) producing IFNγ, IL-2, or both for S protein specific IFN-γ and IL-2 T-cell responses
SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein dual IFN-γ and IL-2 T-cell ELISpot (FluoroSpot)
Time frame: At day 57 compared to baseline for Part A and at day 29 compare to baseline for Part B
Proportion of participants with significant T-cell responses for S protein specific IFN-γ and IL-2 T-cell responses
IL-2 T-cell ELISpot (FluoroSpot)
Time frame: At day 57 for Part A and at day 29 for Part B
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