V118E vaccine in healthy adults

A Randomized, Double-Blind Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of V118 Formulation E in Healthy Adults

PHASE1 · Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC · NCT07168915

This trial will test whether the new V118E vaccine is safe and well tolerated in healthy adults.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment126 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 49 Years
SexAll
SponsorMerck Sharp & Dohme LLC (industry)
Locations4 sites (Hallandale, Florida and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07168915 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a Phase 1 interventional study in healthy adult volunteers comparing the investigational V118E vaccine with PREVNAR 20™ and saline. Participants receive study injections and are monitored for side effects, vital signs, and laboratory abnormalities to characterize safety and tolerability. Blood samples may be taken to look for antibody responses to pneumococcal serotypes. Follow-up visits occur at the listed clinical sites to capture short-term and any longer-term reactions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Healthy adults in good general health without recent invasive pneumococcal disease or major underlying medical conditions are the intended participants.

Not a fit: People with recent invasive pneumococcal disease or with significant endocrine, cardiovascular, neurological, immunological, hepatic, renal, hematological, respiratory, gastrointestinal, or genitourinary disorders would be excluded and are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, V118E could provide an additional vaccine option to help prevent disease caused by multiple Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes.

How similar studies have performed: Licensed pneumococcal conjugate vaccines such as PREVNAR 20™ have demonstrated effectiveness, but V118E is a new formulation being tested primarily for safety.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

The main inclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following:

\- Is in good health before randomization

Exclusion Criteria:

The main exclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following:

* Has a history of invasive pneumococcal disease or known history of other culture-positive pneumococcal disease within 3 years prior to receiving study vaccination
* Has a history of clinically significant endocrine, gastrointestinal (GI), cardiovascular, hematological, hepatic, immunological, renal, respiratory, genitourinary, or major neurological (including stroke and chronic seizures) abnormalities or diseases

Where this trial is running

Hallandale, Florida and 3 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Healthy

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.