Aim: To investigate if a subcutaneous (s.c.) booster dose of 90 µg of the naked AkstonAKS-452 vaccine (AKS-452X) at >= 3 months post initial vaccination, with any of the fourregistered vaccines, will boost the antibody titer and immune response in human healthyvolunteers 4-6 weeks after s.c. injection.
Hypothesis: A booster dose of naked (i.e. non-adjuvanted) AKS-452 vaccine will provide an
enhanced immune response after vaccination with any of the registered vaccines against
COVID-19.
Primary objective: To determine the immunogenicity 4-6 weeks after subcutaneous injection
of a booster dose of AKS-452X vaccine given at >=3 months post-initial vaccination (i.e.
Pfizer [ Comirnaty], Moderna [Spikevax], Janssen [Ad26.COV2.S], AstraZeneca [Vaxzevria])
in human healthy volunteers.
Secondary objective: Vaccine safety and side effects after booster vaccination. Follow-up
will occur for up to 9 months post-study vaccine.
Study design: Single center, open-label, safety and efficacy study on the biological
activity of a SP/RBD-Fc antigen booster vaccine (AKS-452X) against COVID-19.
Study population: Healthy human volunteers, 18 - 85 years, having received a registered
vaccine (i.e. Pfizer [Comirnaty], Moderna [Spikevax], Janssen [Ad26.COV2.S], AstraZeneca
[Vaxzevria]).
Intervention: One booster dose-level of naked AKS-452 (90 µg) administered via s.c. route
in 150 subjects per cohort in which safety parameters and neutralizing IgG titers will be
reviewed after the booster dose of 90 µg s.c.. Enhanced immune response is defined as: i)
seroconversion based on a true positive based on the SP/RBD IgG ELISA assay
positive/negative cutoff criteria using the quantitative cut-off value defined by the
assay kit batch expressed in μg/mL. The positive/negative cutoff value was established as
2.42 µg/mL from the validation analysis for the current lot of assay kits, but it should
be noted that for each new lot of assay kits, Akston QC performs a re-validation of the
cutoff value in order to maintain clinical agreement from lot-to-lot, ii) two times (2x)
the baseline SP/RBD IgG at day 56 after a boostering, as compared to the titer at the
time of screening.
Main study parameters/endpoints: Primary endpoint: The percentage of patients that i)
achieve an SP/RBD-specific IgG antibody titer level of ≥ 2.42 µg/mL at the day 28
time-point post-intervention (i.e. booster vaccine) if the base-line value prior to
receiving the booster vaccine was < 2.42 µg/mL or ii) where the SP/RBD-specific IgG
antibody titer is at least 2x the base-line value prior to receiving the booster vaccine
if the base-line value prior to receiving the booster vaccine was ≥ 2.42 µg/mL. The
percentage of patients in each of the four cohorts that achieve the primary endpoint
threshold at 28 days post-intervention will be calculated (n (%)). Secondary endpoint:
Safety evaluation in the four cohorts for local and systemic adverse events after
injection at each pre-defined scheduled follow-up (at 28, 56, 91, 182 and 238 days post
intervention). Patients will continue to be followed passively for additional safety
events out to 9 months post-intervention.
Biological: AKS-452X
subcutaneous injection of 90 µg AKS-452X
Inclusion Criteria:
In order to be eligible to participate in this study, a subject must meet all of the
following criteria:
- Age 18-85 years (extremes included), males and females.
- Negative SARS-CoV-2 serology (an anti-SARS-CoV-2 SP-specific IgG ELISA)
- Body mass index (BMI) between 19.0 and 30.0 kg/m2, inclusive
- General good health, without significant medical illness, as determined via physical
exam findings, or vital signs
- No clinically significant laboratory abnormalities as determined by the investigator
o Note: one retest of lab tests is allowed within the screening window
- Informed Consent Form signed voluntarily before any study-related procedure is
performed, indicating that the subject understands the purpose and procedures
required for the study and is willing to participate in the study
- Willing to adhere to the prohibitions and restrictions specified in this protocol
- All participants have received a completed (registered) vaccine at least 3 months
before inclusion in this study (i.e. Pfizer [Comirnaty], Moderna [Spikevax], Janssen
[Ad26.COV2.S], AstraZeneca [Vaxzevria]).
- Negative hepatitis panel (including hepatitis B surface Ag and anti-hepatitis C
virus Abs) and negative human immunodeficiency virus Ab and Ag screens at screening
- Female subjects should fulfil one of the following criteria:
- At least 1 year post-menopausal (amenorrhea >12 months
- Surgically sterile (bilateral oophorectomy, hysterectomy, or tubal ligation);
- Will use adequate forms of contraceptives from screening to discharge.
- Female subjects of childbearing potential and male subjects who are sexually active
with a female partner of childbearing potential must agree to the use of an
effective method of birth control from screening to discharge
o Note: medically acceptable methods of contraception that may be used by the
subject and/or partner include combined oral contraceptive, contraceptive vaginal
ring, contraceptive injection, intrauterine device, etonogestrel implant, double
barrier, sterilization and vasectomy
- Female subject has a negative pregnancy test at screening and upon check-in at the
clinical site.
- Note: pregnancy testing will consist of a serum pregnancy test at screening and
urine pregnancy tests at the dosing visit, in all women.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant or breast-feeding females
- Evidence of clinically significant neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic,
hematologic, rheumatologic, endocrine, autoimmune, or renal disease
- Any laboratory test which is abnormal, and which is deemed by the Investigator(s) to
be clinically significant
- Behavioral or cognitive impairment or psychiatric disease that in the opinion of the
investigator affects the ability of the subject to understand and cooperate with the
study protocol
- Current alcohol/illicit drug/nicotine abuse or addiction: history or evidence of
current drug use or addiction (positive drug screen for amphetamines, barbiturates,
benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine, or opiates) or signs of excessive use of
alcohol at screening and at day 0.
- Presence of any febrile illness (T > = 38.0°C or lab confirmed viral disease (PCR))
or symptoms suggestive of a viral respiratory infection within 1 weeks prior to
vaccination. Participants will be screened for SARS-Cov-2 with an EUA-approved PCR
test at screening, and at day 0.
- Use of corticosteroids (excluding topical preparations for cutaneous or nasal use)
or use of immunosuppressive drugs within 30 days before inoculation
- A history of anaphylaxis, history of allergic reaction to vaccine, known allergy to
one of the components in AKS-452X. Mild allergies without angio-edema or treatment
need can be included if deemed not to be of clinical significance (including but not
limited to allergy to animals or mild seasonal hay fever)
- A history of asthma within the past 10 years, or a current diagnosis of asthma or
reactive airway disease associated with exercise
- Receipt of blood or blood-derived products (including immunoglobulin) within 6
months prior to vaccination.
- Receipt of another investigational agent within 30 days or 5 times the product
half-life (whichever is longest) prior to vaccination
- Deprived of freedom by an administrative or court order or in an emergency setting
- Any condition that in the opinion of the principal investigator (PI) would
jeopardize the safety or rights of a person participating in the trial or would
render the person unable to comply with the protocol.
University Medical Center Groningen
Groningen, Netherlands
Investigator: Gooitzen M van Dam, MD, PhD
Contact: +31622914614
g.m.van.dam@umcg.nl
Gooitzen M van Dam, MD, PhD
31-6-22914614
g.m.van.dam@umcg.nl
Gooitzen M van Dam, MD, PhD, Study Chair
University Medical Center Groningen