Assessing a new mRNA vaccine for Japanese Encephalitis in healthy adults

A 2-Stage, Phase I/II, Active-controlled, Randomized, Observer-blinded, Dose-finding Study to Assess the Safety, Reactogenicity, and Immunogenicity of SK Japanese Encephalitis mRNA Vaccines (GBP560) in Healthy Adults (Aged 18 Years and Older)

This study is testing a new mRNA vaccine for Japanese Encephalitis in healthy adults to see how well it works and what side effects it might have.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase1; Phase2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 402 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: SK Bioscience Co., Ltd. (Industry-sponsored)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, radiation, prednisone
• Locations: 3 sites (Brisbane and 2 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06680128 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of SK Japanese Encephalitis mRNA vaccines (GBP560) in healthy adults aged 18 years and older. It consists of two stages, with Stage 1 focusing on participants aged 18 to 55 and Stage 2 including all adults. Participants will receive either the vaccine or a placebo and will be monitored for their health and immune response. The study aims to determine how well the vaccine works and its side effects.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 18 years and older with a BMI between 18.5 and 29.9.

Not a fit: Patients with underlying health conditions or those outside the specified age and BMI range may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine could provide effective protection against Japanese Encephalitis virus disease for healthy adults.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies on mRNA vaccines have shown promise, indicating potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

\[Age\]

1. For Stage 1, participant must be 18 to 55 years of age inclusive, at the time of signing the informed consent.

   For Stage 2, participant must be 18 years of age and older, at the time of signing the informed consent.

   \[Type of Participant and Disease Characteristics\]
2. Participants who are healthy as determined by medical evaluation including medical history, vital signs, physical examination, clinical laboratory tests and medical judgement of the investigator.
3. Participants who are willing and able to attend all scheduled visits and comply with all study procedures.
4. Body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18.5-29.9 kg/m2 (inclusive) at screening

   \[Sex and Contraceptive/Barrier Requirements\]
5. All participants must agree to be heterosexually inactive or agree to consistently use at least one acceptable method of contraception from at least 4 weeks prior to the 1st study vaccination to 12 weeks after the last study vaccination (Visit 9) (See Appendix 10.4 for detailed contraceptive methods).
6. Female participants with a negative urine or serum pregnancy test at screening.

   \* Female participants who are surgically sterile (e.g., having undergone a full hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, or bilateral oophorectomy) or postmenopausal with amenorrhea for at least 12 months are not subject to a pregnancy test.

   \[Informed Consent\]
7. Participants who are capable of giving signed informed consent as described in Appendix 10.1.3 which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the informed consent form (ICF) and in this protocol before initiation of any trial-specific procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

\[Medical Conditions\]

1. Any clinically significant respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, sore throat), febrile illness (tympanic temperature \>38°C), or acute illness within 24 hours prior to the 1st study vaccination. Prospective participants with these conditions cannot be included until 24 hours after resolution.
2. History of congenital, hereditary, acquired immunodeficiency, or autoimmune disease.
3. Any positive test results for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C antibody, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at screening.
4. History of bleeding disorder or thrombocytopenia which is contraindicating intramuscular vaccination in the investigator's opinion.
5. History of hypersensitivity and severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis, Guillain-Barre syndrome) to any vaccines or components of the study intervention.
6. History of myocarditis, pericarditis or myopericarditis (including the screening 12-lead ECG results from Stage 1 participants), as assessed by the investigator, indicating probable or possible myocarditis, pericarditis, or myopericarditis, or demonstrating clinically significant abnormalities that could affect participant safety or the interpretation of study findings.
7. History of JEV infection/other flaviviruses infection (e.g., Dengue, West Nile, Zika, St. Louis Encephalitis, Yellow fever).
8. History of malignancy within 1 year prior to the 1st study vaccination (with the exception of malignancy with minimal risk of recurrence at the discretion of the investigator).
9. Significant unstable chronic or acute illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, might pose a health risk to the participant if enrolled, or could interfere with the protocol-specified activities, or interpretation of study results.

   \* The AESIs as outlined in Section 8.1.4 should be considered for evaluating the participant
10. Any other conditions which, in the opinion of the investigator, might interfere with the evaluation of the study objectives (e.g., alcohol or drug abuse, neurologic or psychiatric conditions).
11. Female participants who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
12. (Only for Stage 1) Current smoker or a recent smoking history within 12 weeks prior to screening. Occasional smoker who smokes up to 10 cigarettes per month may be allowed to participate at the investigator's discretion.

    \[Prior/Concomitant medication\]
13. Receipt of JEV vaccination/other flaviviruses vaccination in the past.
14. Receipt of any vaccine within 4 weeks prior to the 1st study vaccination or planned receipt of any vaccine from enrollment through 4 weeks after the last study vaccination (Visit 8), except for inactivated influenza vaccination, which may be received at least 2 weeks prior to the 1st study vaccination.
15. Receipt of immunoglobulins and/or any blood or blood-derived products within 12 weeks prior to the 1st study vaccination.
16. Receipt of immunosuppressive therapy, such as any use of anti-cancer chemotherapy or radiation therapy; or systemic corticosteroid therapy (≥10 mg prednisone/day or equivalent) within 12 weeks prior to the 1st study vaccination. The use of inhaled, topical, or nasal glucocorticoid will be permitted.

    \[Prior/Concurrent Clinical Study Experience\]
17. Participation in another clinical study and receipt of study intervention within 4 weeks prior to the 1st study vaccination, or concurrent, planned participation in another clinical study with study intervention during this study period.

    \[Other Exclusions\]
18. Investigators, or study staff who are directly involved in the conduct of this study or supervised by the investigator, and their respective family members.
19. Donation of ≥ 450mL (milliliter) of blood product within 4 weeks prior to screening, or planned donation of blood product from enrollment through 12 weeks after the last study vaccination (Visit 9).

Where this trial is running

Brisbane and 2 other locations

• Nucleus Network - Brisbane (Q Pharm) — Brisbane, Australia (Recruiting)
• Nucleus Network - Melbourne — Melbourne, Australia (Recruiting)
• New Zealand Clinical Research — Christchurch, Central City, New Zealand (Not_yet_recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Sejun Oh

Conditions Japanese Encephalitis Virus Disease