A Phase I, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Safety, Tolerability and Immunogenicity Study of Candidate HIV-1 Vaccines ChAdOx1.HTI and MVA.HTI With Recombinant HIV-1 Envelope Protein ConM SOSIP.v7 gp140 Vaccine, Adjuvanted With MPLA Liposomes in ART-Suppressed HIV-1 Positive Individuals

Participants will be randomized to receive either the combined regimen with T- and B-cell immunogens (CSSMS) or placebo (PPPPP) in a double-blinded fashion at a ratio of 2:1. Safety and immunogenicity of the combined T- and B-cell regimen will be measured up to week 30 (2 weeks after last ConM SOSIP.v7/placebo administration). At week 30, all participants will undergo an ATI of 24 weeks of duration. At visit week 54 (End-of-ATI visit), or before according to pre-specified criteria, ART will be resumed. Efficacy endpoints will be measured at 12 and 24 weeks of ATI (study visits week 42 and 54). After ART resumption, participants will be followed during an additional safety period of 12 weeks (study visit week 66, End-of-Study visit). Treatment allocation will remain blinded until week 54 (End-of-ATI visit).

Inclusion criteria

• Males and females aged at least 18 years on the day of screening and no greater than 60 years on the day of the first IMP administration.
• Confirmed HIV-1 infection.
• Optimal virological suppression for at least 2 years prior to the screening visit, defined as maintained pVL <50 cop/ml allowing for isolated blips (non-consecutive 50-200 copies/mL)
• Being on the same ART regimen within at least 4 weeks prior to screening visit.
• CD4 count ≥ 500 cells/mm3 at the screening visit.
• Nadir CD4 count ≥ 350 cells/mm3. Lower counts at the moment of acute HIV-1 infection will be allowed only if appropriate immune recovery was followed after ART initiation and ART was not initiated within first 6 months after estimated time of HIV-1 acquisition.
• Willing and able to be adherent to their ART regimen for the duration of the study.
• Willing to comply with the requirements of the protocol and available for follow-up for the planned duration of the study.
• In the opinion of the Principal Investigator or designee, the candidate has understood the information provided and capable of giving written Informed Consent.
• If heterosexually active female of childbearing potential(1), using an effective method of contraception (hormonal contraception, intra-uterine device (IUD), or anatomical sterility in self or partner(1) from 14 days prior to the first IMP administration and commit to use it until four months after the last IMP administration or until her pVL is <50 copies/mL in two-consecutive determinations after ART resumption, whichever is later. All female candidates of childbearing potential who are not heterosexually active at screening, must agree to utilise an effective method of contraception if they become heterosexually active during the study.
• If heterosexually active male, regardless of reproductive potential, sterilized or agree on the use of an effective method of contraception by his female partner (hormonal contraception, intra-uterine device (IUD), or anatomical sterility(2) from the day of the first IMP administration until four months after the last IMP administration or until his pVL is <50 copies/mL in two-consecutive determinations after ART resumption, whichever is later. All male candidates who are not heterosexually active at screening, must agree to utilise an effective method of contraception if they become heterosexually active during the study.
• Il female, willing to undergo urine pregnancy tests at the designated time points.
• Willing to accept blood draws and collect stool at time points specified in the Schedule of Events (Appendix VII).
• Willing to forgo donating blood, eggs, or sperm from the first IMP administration until four months after last IMP administration or until his or her pVL is <50 copies/mL in two-consecutive determinations after ART resumption, whichever is later.

• (1) A woman will be considered of childbearing potential if not permanently sterilized nor postmenopausal. Permanent sterilization methods include tubal ligation, hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy. Postmenopausal is defined as 12 months with no menses without an alternative medical cause.
• (2) Condom use nor diaphragm are considered as an additional method of contraception only and cannot be the only method of contraception used as not been considered an effective method by the Clinical Trial Facilitation Group (CTFG) guidelines.

Exclusion criteria

• If female, pregnant or planning a pregnancy during the study and until at least four months after the last IMP administration or until her pVL is <50 copies/mL in two-consecutive determinations after ART resumption, whichever is later; or lactating.
• ART initiated within 6 months from the estimated time of HIV-1 acquisition documented by immediate ART initation after a) an HIV-1 documented seroconversion (<180 days), b) an HIV-1 diagnose with negative or indeterminate western blot test or positive p24 antigenemia and/or c) presenting with symptoms suggestive of acute retroviral syndrome.
• When available, pre-ART genotypic data that demonstrates the presence of clinically significant drug resistance mutations that could prevent the construction of a viable ART regimen post-treatment interruption.
• Reported periods of suboptimal adherence to ART or suboptimal ART regimens (dual therapy allowed as switch-regimens if sustained viral uppression pVL<50 copies/ml is documented).
• History of past ART interruptions longer than 2 weeks.
• Participation in another clinical trial that involves a treatment intervention (active arm) within 12 weeks of study entry (at screening visit).
• Any AIDS-defining disease or progression of HIV-related disease.
• History of autoimmune disease.
• History or clinical manifestations of any physical or psychiatric disorder which could impair the subject's ability to complete the study.
• Receipt of approved vaccines within 3 weeks of study entry(1)
• Known hypersensitivity to any component of the IMP formulation, or severe or multiple allergies to drugs or pharmaceutical agents.
• Previous immunisation with any experimental immunogens.
• Potential participant received or plans to receive:

• licensed live attenuated vaccines - within 28 days before or after planned administration of the first or subsequent study vaccinations. For details regarding COVID-19 vaccines, see bullet c and d below.
• other licensed (not live) vaccines - within 14 days before or after planned administration of the first or subsequent study vaccinations. For details regarding COVID-19 vaccines, see bullet c and d below.
• Recombinant viral vectored COVID-19 vaccines or live attenuated COVID-19 vaccines, either licensed or authorized for emergency use (eg. Emergency Use Authorization [EUA], Emergency Use Listing [EUL] or similar program) - within 28 days before or after planned administration of the first or subsequent study vaccinations.
• Other COVID-19 vaccines than the ones specified in bullet c (eg. mRNA vaccines, protein-based vaccines) either licensed or authorized for emergency use (eg. EUA, EUL or similar program) - within 14 days before or after planned administration of the first or subsequent study vaccinations.
• Receipt of blood products within 3 months of study entry.
• Treatment for cancer or lymphoproliferative disease within 1 year of study entry.
• Current or recent use (within last 3 months) of interferon or systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents (use on inhaled steroids for asthma or topic steroids for localized skin conditions are permitted).
• Any other current or prior therapy which, in the opinion of the investigator, would make the individual unsuitable for the study or influence the results of the study.
• Any laboratory abnormalities including:

Hematology

• Hemoglobin < 10.0 g/dl
• Absolute Neutrophil Count ≤ 1,000 /mm3 (≤ 1 x 109/L)
• Absolute Lymphocyte Count ≤ 600 /mm3 (≤ 0.6 x 109/L)
• Platelets ≤100,000 /mm3, ≥ 550,000 /mm3 (≤ 100 /L, ≥ 550 /L) Biochemistry
• Creatinine > 1.3 x ULN
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 2.5 x ULN
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 2.5 x ULN

Microbiology

• Positive for hepatitis B surface antigen,
• Positive for hepatitis C antibody, unless confirmed clearance of HCV infection (spontaneous or following treatment)
• Positive serology indicating active syphilis requiring treatment(2)
• Refusal to an eventual ART interruption within the scope of the study objectives(3).

• (1)Efforts will be made to ensure all participants included are updated on their Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Pneumococcal vaccinations before enrolment. Seasonal Flu vaccinations or other required vaccinations will be scheduled to avoid the 3 weeks preceding and following IMP administrations and the first 12 weeks of ATI.
• (2) Cases in which positive RPR titres are detected but syphilis has been confirmed to have been properly treated will be allowed into the study if treatment has been given >4 weeks prior to study entry/IMP administration.
• (3)A questionnaire related to ART interruption will be answered by the candidate during the screening visit to be able to address Expectations and Worries in a timely manner to reduce the risk of participants lost to follow-up during the study.