A Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of BG505 MD39.3, BG505 MD39.3 gp151, and BG505 MD39.3 gp151 CD4KO HIV Trimer mRNA Vaccines in Healthy, HIV-uninfected Adult Participants

Phase 1

Active, not recruiting

• Conditions: HIV Infections
• Interventions: Biological: BG505 MD39.3 gp151 CD4KO mRNA; Biological: BG505 MD39.3 mRNA; Biological: BG505 MD39.3 gp151 mRNA

• Registration Number: NCT05217641
• Lead Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Brief Summary

This is an open-label, multicenter, randomized phase 1 study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of BG505 MD39.3, BG505 MD39.3 gp151, and BG505 MD39.3 gp151 CD4KO HIV trimer mRNA. These trimers are based on the BG505 MD39 native-like trimer reported in Steichen et al. Immunity 2016. The primary hypothesis is that the BG505 MD39.3 soluble and membrane-bound trimer mRNA vaccines will be safe and well-tolerated among HIV-uninfected individuals and will elicit autologous neutralizing antibodies.

Detailed Description

Participants will receive BG505 MD39.3 mRNA, BG505 MD39.3 gp151 mRNA or BG505 MD39.3 gp151 CD4KO mRNA, at doses of 100 mcg or 250mcg, administered via intramuscular (IM) injections into the deltoid muscle. Participants will be evaluated for safety and immune responses through blood and lymph node fine-needle aspiration collection at specified timepoints throughout the study.

A dose escalation plan will be implemented, whereby sentinel safety groups for each of the three low-dose groups in Part A would be enrolled and evaluated for safety 2 weeks after the first vaccination. If safety criteria are met, then enrollment of the Part B sentinel safety groups and the remainder of the Part A participants would commence. Safety for the sentinel groups in Part B will be assessed after the first vaccination prior to full enrollment of Part B. In addition, standard safety evaluations will occur routinely throughout the trial.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-12-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-01-20
• Study First Posted: 2022-02-01
• Study Start: 2022-02-11
• Primary Completion: 2023-07-17
• Results First Submitted: 2024-07-18
• Status Verified: 2024-10
• Results First Submitted QC: 2024-10-29
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-10-29
• Results First Posted: 2024-10-31
• Last Update Posted: 2024-10-31
• Study Completion: 2027-06-24

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 108

Inclusion Criteria

1. Able and willing to complete the informed consent process, including an Assessment of Understanding: volunteer demonstrates understanding of this study; completes a questionnaire prior to first vaccination with verbal demonstration of understanding of all questionnaire items answered incorrectly.

2. 18-55 years old, inclusive, on day of enrollment.

3. Agrees to comply with planned study procedures and be available for clinic follow-up through the last clinic visit.

4. Agrees not to enroll in another study of an investigational agent during participation in the trial.

5. In good general health according to the clinical judgement of the site investigator.

6. Physical examination and laboratory results without clinically significant findings that would interfere with assessment of safety or reactogenicity in the clinical judgement of the site investigator.

7. Assessed as low risk for HIV acquisition per low risk guidelines, agrees to discuss HIV infection risks, agrees to risk reduction counseling, and agrees to avoid behavior associated with high risk of HIV exposure through the final study visit. Low risk may include persons stably taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as prescribed for 6 months or longer.

8. Hemoglobin

   • Greater than or equal to 11.0 g/dL for volunteers who were assigned female sex at birth
   • Greater than or equal to 13.0 g/dL for volunteers who were assigned male sex at birth and transgender males who have been on hormone therapy for more than 6 consecutive months
   • Greater than or equal to 12.0 g/dL for transgender females who have been on hormone therapy for more than 6 consecutive months
   • For transgender participants who have been on hormone therapy for less than 6 consecutive months, determine hemoglobin eligibility based on the sex assigned at birth

9. White blood cell (WBC) count > 3,500/mm3

10. Platelets ≥125,000 /mm3

11. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) < 2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) based on the institutional normal range

12. Serum creatinine ≤1.1 x ULN based on the institutional normal range

13. Negative results for HIV infection by an (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA).

14. Negative for anti-Hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV) or negative HCV nucleic acid test (NAT) if anti-HCV antibodies are detected.

15. Negative for Hepatitis B surface antigen.

16. For a volunteer capable of becoming pregnant:

    • Volunteers who were assigned female sex at birth and are of reproductive potential must agree to use effective means of birth control from at least 21 days prior to enrollment through 3 months after their third vaccination timepoint
    • Has negative β-HCG (beta human chorionic gonadotropin) pregnancy test (urine or serum) at screening and prior to study product administration on day of enrollment.

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Exclusion Criteria

1. Volunteer who is breast-feeding or pregnant.

2. Hypertension that is not well controlled. If a person has been found to have elevated blood pressure or hypertension during screening or previously, exclude for blood pressure that is not well controlled. Well-controlled blood pressure is defined in this protocol as consistently < 140 mm Hg systolic and < 90 mm Hg diastolic, with or without medication, with only isolated, brief instances of higher readings, which must be ≤ 150 mm Hg systolic and ≤ 100 mm Hg diastolic. For these volunteers, blood pressure must be < 140 mm Hg systolic and < 90 mm Hg diastolic at enrollment. If a person has NOT been found to have elevated blood pressure or hypertension during screening or previously, exclude for systolic blood pressure ≥ 150 mm Hg at enrollment or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mm Hg at enrollment.

3. Diabetes mellitus type 1 or type 2. (Not exclusionary: type 2 cases controlled with diet alone or a history of isolated gestational diabetes).

4. Previous or current recipient of an investigational HIV vaccine (previous placebo recipients are not excluded).

5. Acutely ill or febrile (temperature ≥ 38.0°C/100.4°F) on the day of the first vaccination. Participants meeting this criterion may be rescheduled within the enrollment window period. Afebrile participants with minor illnesses can be enrolled at the discretion of the Investigator.

6. Immunosuppressive medications received within 168 days before first vaccination (Not exclusionary: [1] corticosteroid nasal spray; [2] inhaled corticosteroids; [3] topical corticosteroids for mild, uncomplicated dermatologic condition; or [4] a single course of oral/parenteral prednisone or equivalent at doses < 60 mg/day and length of therapy < 11 days with completion at least 30 days prior to enrollment).

7. Blood products or immunoglobulin within 16 weeks prior to enrollment; receipt of immunoglobulin within 16 weeks prior to enrollment requires PSRT approval.

8. Receipt of any of the following:

   • Within 4 weeks prior to enrollment:

     • Any licensed live, attenuated vaccine
     • Any emergency use authorized (EUA) or licensed mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

   • Within 2 weeks prior to enrollment:

     • Any licensed killed/subunit/inactivated vaccine
     • Any EUA or licensed adenoviral-vectored or protein SARS-CoV-2 vaccines Receipt of any SARS-CoV-2 vaccination series should be completed 4 weeks prior to enrollment when possible; however, exceptions may be made by approval of the HVTN 302 PSRT.

9. Initiation of antigen-based immunotherapy for allergies within the previous year (stable immunotherapy is not exclusionary); inclusion of participants who initiated immunotherapy within the previous year requires PSRT approval.

10. Receipt of investigational research agents with a half-life of 7 or fewer days within 4 weeks prior to enrollment. If a potential participant has received investigational agents with a half-life greater than 7 days (or unknown half-life) within the past year, PSRT approval is required for enrollment.

11. History of serious reaction (eg, hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis) to any vaccine or any component of the study vaccine.

12. History of myocarditis and/or pericarditis.

13. Hereditary angioedema, acquired angioedema, or idiopathic forms of angioedema.

14. Idiopathic urticaria within the past year.

15. Bleeding disorder diagnosed by a doctor (eg, factor deficiency, coagulopathy, or platelet disorder requiring special precautions).

16. Seizure disorder; febrile seizures as a child or seizures secondary to alcohol withdrawal more than 5 years ago are not exclusionary.

17. Asplenia or functional asplenia.

18. Active duty and reserve US military personnel.

19. Any other chronic or clinically significant condition that in the clinical judgement of the investigator would jeopardize the safety or rights of the study participant, including, but not limited to: clinically significant forms of drug or alcohol abuse, serious psychiatric disorders, or cancer that, in the clinical judgement of the site investigator, has a potential for recurrence (excluding basal cell carcinoma).

20. Asthma is excluded if the participant has ANY of the following:

    • Required either oral or parenteral corticosteroids for an exacerbation two or more times within the past year; OR
    • Needed emergency care, urgent care, hospitalization, or intubation for an acute asthma exacerbation within the past year (eg, would NOT exclude individuals with asthma who meet all other criteria but sought urgent/emergent care solely for asthma medication refills or co-existing conditions unrelated to asthma); OR
    • Uses a short-acting rescue inhaler more than 2 days/week for acute asthma symptoms (ie, not for preventive treatment prior to athletic activity); OR
    • Uses medium-to-high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (greater than 250 mcg fluticasone or therapeutic equivalent per day), whether in single-therapy or dual-therapy inhalers (ie, with a long-acting beta agonist [LABA]); OR
    • Uses more than one medication for maintenance therapy daily. Inclusion of anyone on a stable dose of more than one medication for maintenance therapy daily for greater than two years requires PSRT approval.

21. A participant with a history of an immune-mediated disease, either active or remote. Not exclusionary: 1) remote history of Bell's palsy (>2 years ago) not associated with other neurologic symptoms, 2) mild psoriasis that does not require ongoing systemic treatment.

22. Immunodeficiency

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SEQUENTIAL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Part B, Group 3: BG505 MD39.3 gp151 CD4KO mRNA	BG505 MD39.3 gp151 CD4KO mRNA	18 participants Dose: 250mcg of BG505 MD39.3 gp151 CD4KO mRNA administered at months 0, 2, and 6
Part A, Group 1: Low dose BG505 MD39.3 mRNA	BG505 MD39.3 mRNA	18 participants Dose: 100mcg of BG505 MD39.3 mRNA formulated administered at months 0, 2, and 6
Part A, Group 2: Low dose BG505 MD39.3 gp151 mRNA	BG505 MD39.3 gp151 mRNA	18 participants Dose: 100mcg of BG505 MD39.3 gp151 mRNA administered at months 0, 2, and 6
Part A, Group 3: Low dose BG505 MD39.3 gp151 CD4KO mRNA	BG505 MD39.3 gp151 CD4KO mRNA	18 participants Dose: 100mcg of BG505 MD39.3 gp151 CD4KO mRNA administered at months 0, 2, and 6
Part B, Group 1: BG505 MD39.3 mRNA	BG505 MD39.3 mRNA	18 participants Dose: 250mcg of BG505 MD39.3 mRNA administered at months 0, 2, and 6
Part B, Group 2: BG505 MD39.3 gp151 mRNA	BG505 MD39.3 gp151 mRNA	18 participants Dose: 250mcg of BG505 MD39.3 gp151 mRNA administered at months 0, 2, and 6

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Participants Reporting Local Solicited Adverse Events Signs and Symptoms: Pain and/or Tenderness	Measured through 7 days after each vaccine dose	Graded according to the Division of AIDS (DAIDS) Table for Grading the Severity of Adult and Pediatric Adverse Events, Version 2.1, July 2017. The maximum grade observed for each symptom over the time frame is presented.
Number of Participants Reporting Local Unsolicited Adverse Events Signs and Symptoms: Erythema and/or Induration	Measured through 7 days after each vaccine dose	Graded according to the Division of AIDS (DAIDS) Table for Grading the Severity of Adult and Pediatric Adverse Events, Version 2.1, July 2017. The maximum grade observed for each symptom over the time frame is presented.
Number of Participants Reporting Systemic Reactogenicity Signs and Symptoms	Measured through 7 days after each vaccine dose	Graded according to the Division of AIDS (DAIDS) Table for Grading the Severity of Adult and Pediatric Adverse Events, Version 2.1, July 2017. The maximum grade observed for each symptom over the time frame is presented.
Chemistry and Hematology Laboratory Measures - ALT in U/L	Measured during Screening, Days 8, 64, 176 and 225	For each local laboratory measure, summary statistics were presented by treatment group and timepoint for the overall population
Chemistry and Hematology Laboratory Measures - Creatinine in mg/dL	Measured during Screening, Days 8, 64, 176 and 225	For each local laboratory measure, summary statistics were presented by treatment group and timepoint for the overall population
Chemistry and Hematology Laboratory Measures - Hemoglobin in g/dL	Measured during Screening, Days 8, 64, 176 and 225	For each local laboratory measure, summary statistics were presented by treatment group and timepoint for the overall population
Chemistry and Hematology Laboratory Measures - Lymphocyte Count, Neutrophil, Basophils, Eosinophils Count in 1000 Cells/Cubic mm	Measured during Screening, Days 8, 64, 176 and 225	For each local laboratory measure, summary statistics were presented by treatment group and timepoint for the overall population
Chemistry and Hematology Laboratory Measures - Platelets, WBC in 1000 Cells/Cubic mm	Measured during Screening, Days 8, 64, 176 and 225	For each local laboratory measure, summary statistics were presented by treatment group and timepoint for the overall population
Number of Lab Grade > 1 for ALT, Creatinine, Hemoglobin, Lymphocyte Count, Neutrophil Count, Platelets, White Blood Cells (WBC), Basophils, Eosinophils	Measured during Screening, Days 8, 64, 176 and 225	The number (percentage) of participants with lab grade \> 1 for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, hemoglobin, lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, platelets, white blood cells (WBC), basophils, eosinophils was summarized by arm
Number of Participants Reporting Adverse Events (AEs), by Severity Grade	30 days following each injection	Graded according to the Division of AIDS (DAIDS) Table for Grading the Severity of Adult and Pediatric Adverse Events, Corrected Version 2.1, July 2017 (exceptions apply)
Number of Participants Reporting Adverse Events (AEs), by Relationship to Study Product	30 days following each injection	Graded according to the Division of AIDS (DAIDS) Table for Grading the Severity of Adult and Pediatric Adverse Events, Corrected Version 2.1, July 2017 (exceptions apply).
Number of Participants Reporting Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)	Measured through Month 12	Graded according to the Division of AIDS (DAIDS) Table for Grading the Severity of Adult and Pediatric Adverse Events, Corrected Version 2.1, July 2017 (exceptions apply)
Number of Participants Reporting Medically Attended Adverse Events (MAAEs)	Measured through Month 12	Graded according to the Division of AIDS (DAIDS) Table for Grading the Severity of Adult and Pediatric Adverse Events, Corrected Version 2.1, July 2017 (exceptions apply)
Number of Participants Reporting Adverse Events of Special Interest (AESIs)	Measured through Month 12.	There were no adverse events of special interest reported by any participant.
Number of Participants With Study Product Discontinuation Associated With an AE or Reactogenicity	Measured through Month 12	Graded according to the Division of AIDS (DAIDS) Table for Grading the Severity of Adult and Pediatric Adverse Events, Corrected Version 2.1, July 2017 (exceptions apply)
Number of Participants With Early Study Termination Associated With an AE or Reactogenicity	Measured through Month 12.	There were no early study terminations associated with an AE or reactogenicity reported by any participant.
Magnitude of Serum Antibody Neutralization of a Vaccine-matched Tier 2 HIV-1 Strain	2 weeks after the 3rd vaccination timepoint, which is the study visit 12 at study month 6.5.	Neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 were measured as a function of reductions in Tat-regulated luciferase (Luc) reporter gene expression in TZM-bl cells. The assay performed in TZM-bl cells measured neutralization ID50 and ID80 titers against a panel of autologous and heterologous Env-pseudotyped viruses that exhibit tier 2 neutralization phenotype: BG505/T332N, and tier 1A neutralization phenotype: MW925.26.
Response Rate of Serum Antibody Neutralization of a Vaccine-matched Tier 2 HIV-1 Strain	2 weeks after the 3rd vaccination timepoint, which is the study visit 12 at study month 6.5.	Neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 were measured as a function of reductions in Tat-regulated luciferase (Luc) reporter gene expression in TZM-bl cells. The assay performed in TZM-bl cells measured neutralization ID50 and ID80 titers against a panel of autologous and heterologous Env-pseudotyped viruses that exhibit tier 2 neutralization phenotype: BG505/T332N, and tier 1A neutralization phenotype: MW925.26.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Occurrence of Serum Antibody Neutralization of a Vaccine-matched Tier 2 HIV-1 Strain	Measured at 10 weeks, 2 weeks after the 2nd vaccination timepoint	As measured by TZM-bl assay
Magnitude of Serum IgG Binding Antibodies to the BG505 Trimer, and Specific Epitopes (Base of Trimer, V3, Internal Epitope)	Measured at 52 weeks, 6 months after the 3rd vaccination timepoint	As measured by BAMA
Response Rate of Serum IgG Binding Antibodies to the BG505 Trimer, and Specific Epitopes (Base of Trimer, V3, Internal Epitope	Measured at 10 and 26 weeks, 2 weeks after the 2nd and 3rd vaccination timepoints, respectively	As measured by BAMA
Occurrence of CD4+ T-cell Responses	Measured at 26 weeks, 2 weeks after the 3rd vaccination timepoint	As assessed by intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) assays
Magnitude of Serum Antibody Neutralization of a Vaccine-matched Tier 2 HIV-1 Strain	Measured at 52 weeks, 6 months after the 3rd vaccination timepoint	As measured by TZM-bl assay
Response Rate of Serum Antibody Neutralization of a Vaccine-matched Tier 2 HIV-1 Strain	Measured at 52 weeks, 6 months after the 3rd vaccination timepoint	As measured by TZM-bl assay
Occurrence of Serum IgG Binding Antibodies to the BG505 Trimer, and Specific Epitopes (Base of Trimer, V3, Internal Epitope)	Measured at 52 weeks, 6 months after the 3rd vaccination timepoint	As measured by BAMA
Magnitude of CD4+ T-cell Responses	Measured at 26 weeks, 2 weeks after the 3rd vaccination timepoint	As assessed by intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) assays
Response Rate of CD4+ T-cell Responses	Measured at 26 weeks, 2 weeks after the 3rd vaccination timepoint	As assessed by intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) assays
Occurrence Serum Antibody Neutralization of a Vaccine-matched Tier 2 HIV-1 Strain	Measured at 52 weeks, 6 months after the 3rd vaccination timepoint	As measured by TZM-bl assay
Response Rate of Serum IgG Binding Antibodies to the BG505 Trimer, and Specific Epitopes (Base of Trimer, V3, Internal Epitope)	Measured at 52 weeks, 6 months after the 3rd vaccination timepoint	As measured by BAMA

Trial Locations

Locations (10)

University of Rochester Vaccines to Prevent HIV Infection CRS [31467]; 🇺🇸 Rochester, New York, United States

Columbia P&S CRS [30329]; 🇺🇸 New York, New York, United States

Alabama CRS [31788]; 🇺🇸 Birmingham, Alabama, United States

New York Blood Center CRS [31801]; 🇺🇸 New York, New York, United States

UCLA Vine Street Clinic CRS [31607]; 🇺🇸 Los Angeles, California, United States

University of Pittsburgh CRS [1001]; 🇺🇸 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Bidmc Vcrs [32077]; 🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Brigham and Women's Hospital Vaccine CRS [30007]; 🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Seattle Vaccine and Prevention CRS [30331]; 🇺🇸 Seattle, Washington, United States

Penn Prevention CRS [30310]; 🇺🇸 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States