A Clinical Trial of COVAC-2 in Healthy Adults

Summary

VIDO has developed a vaccine called COVAC-2.

The study vaccine contains a portion of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, called S1. The spike protein is the part of the virus that is responsible for attaching to the surface of host cells. COVAC-2 contains a SWE adjuvant. An adjuvant is a compound that is added to a vaccine to help the vaccine produce a better immune response. The SWE adjuvant belongs to a family of oil-based adjuvants that have been given to millions of people around the world as part of influenza vaccines. The COVAC-2 vaccine is expected to stimulate the body to make antibodies against the S1 protein. The antibodies will recognize the viral spike protein if the body is exposed to the virus and prevent or reduce the severity of COVID-19 illness. In animal studies, the immune response generated by the COVAC-2 vaccine was able to protect the vaccinated animals against a severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Phase 1 is a multi-centred trial of the COVAC-2 vaccine to be completed in Canada. It will be a randomized, observer-blinded, and placebo-controlled study to assess the safety and immunogenicity of three dosing levels (25, 50, and 100 µg protein) administered twice (4 weeks apart) in healthy adults 18 through 54 years of age (Phase 1a) and 55 years of age and older (Phase 1b).

Enrolment and vaccination of participants will be staggered over time based on participant age and vaccine dose. Approval will be sought from the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) to proceed with the second dose in each group, to enroll at each dose level, and to enroll in the older age group for each dose level.

Within the same age group, the 8 participants receiving the lowest dose are randomized with 4 participants receiving placebo; the 8 participants receiving the medium dose are randomized with 4 participants receiving placebo; and the 8 participants receiving the highest dose are randomized with 4 participants receiving placebo.

Within each dose level of 12 participants, it is proposed to immunize a first cohort of 3 participants (including at least 2 active vaccine participants) and pending no holding rule is met after 48 hours, to immunize the remaining 9 participants within that dose level.

Conditions

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

Interventions

BIOLOGICAL

COVAC-2

Intramuscular vaccine against SARS-CoV-2

BIOLOGICAL

Saline Placebo

Intramuscular injection of saline placebo

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Government of Canada

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Government of Saskatchewan

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Vaccine Formulation Institute (VFI)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Seppic

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• University of Saskatchewan

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Joanne M Langley, MD · Canadian Center for Vaccinology

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

SEQUENTIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-02-10

Primary Completion

2022-11-02

Completion

2022-11-02

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations