Immunogenicity and Safety of Group A, C, Y & W-135 Meningococcal Polysaccharide Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine

Meningococcal disease is a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection. The disease most commonly is expressed as either meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcemia, the presence of bacteria in the blood. The most common symptoms include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and rash. If not treated the disease can progress rapidly and can lead to shock and death, often within hours of the onset of symptoms. The disease is fatal at a rate of 10%. Of patients who recover, 10% have permanent hearing loss or other serious sequelae.

Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharides are poor immunogens. However, conjugation of bacterial polysaccharides to immunogenic carrier proteins generally results in conjugates that induce strong anti-polysaccharide T-helper cell dependent immune responses, creating a longer-lasting immune response and thus protection against meningococcal infection.

The sponsor's small size Phase 1 clinical trial comprised 60 subjects. Therefore, additional data is needed to confirm the previous data with a statistically powered Phase 2 clinical trial. The present study aims to evaluate subject responses to single doses, administered in adult subjects, to determine further safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine. This study compares safety and antibody production induced by one intramuscular injection of either NmVac4-A/C/Y/W-135-DT or a licensed meningococcal (Groups A, C, Y, W-135) polysaccharide diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine. The primary immunogenicity endpoint will be seroresponse, based on antibody titer ≥1:8 for subjects with titer <1:8 at baseline or a 4-fold rise in antibody levels, 4 weeks after a single injection . The number and proportion of subjects achieving seroresponse will be tabulated by serogroup for each vaccine group. A non-inferiority test will be used to determine if the immune response elicited by NmVac4 A/C/Y/W-135-DT™ is not less than a specified difference in percent seroconversion from the licensed control vaccine. Participants will attend a screening visit up to 6 weeks prior to vaccination (day 0), then will attend study visits for 4 weeks. There will be a study phone call at days 2-3, then a post-study call to subjects to assess safety at 26 weeks.

Inclusion criteria

(IC):

• Participant is willing and able to give informed consent and comply with all aspects of the evaluation after the nature of the study is explained.
• Male or female, aged 18 to 55 years old
• In general good health with no significant chronic or acute conditions that would interfere with immune response or expected Adverse Event (AE) evaluation in the opinion of the investigator as determined by Medical history and/or History-directed physical examination
• Abstinence or use of effective contraception by the participants or their partners during the trial and continuing for four weeks after vaccination will be required for males or female participants of child bearing potential.
• Able (in the opinion of the investigator) to comply with all study requirements.

Exclusion criteria

(EC):

• Unwilling or unable to understand study requirements and give written informed consent for the study.
• Prisoners.
• History of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
• Pregnancy (confirmed by positive pregnancy test) or lactation.
• Previous diagnosis of laboratory confirmed meningococcal disease.
• Previous meningococcal meningitis vaccination in the last five years
• Laboratory abnormalities that are considered Grade 2 or higher (based on AE, ranges as described in the protocol appendix) that in the opinion of the Investigator would raise safety concerns for participation in the study or interfere with evaluation of study objectives, or abnormalities >2 times the Upper Limit of Normal range (ULN).
• Known or suspected autoimmune or connective tissue disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and congenital or acquired immunodeficiency. Does not include mild to moderate seasonal/perennial allergies treated with over the counter antihistamines.
• Use of systemic immunosuppressive drugs or therapy within 6 months prior to study enrollment, not including topical or inhaled steroids/cytotoxic agents. Includes anti-cancer chemotherapy, radiation, and long term systemic corticosteroid therapy. History of anaphylactic shock, severe asthma, urticaria, or other allergic or hypersensitivity reactions following vaccination or known hypersensitivity to any vaccine component.
• Received blood, blood products, plasma derivatives or any parenteral immunoglobulin preparation in the past 3 months.
• Use of systemic antibiotics within 72 hours prior to study enrollment.
• History of cirrhosis or hepatitis.
• Known bleeding disorder or condition associated with a prolonged bleeding time.
• Positive results of testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HepBsAg), Hepatitis C or HIV-1 or HIV-2 antibodies. Known or suspected HIV or Hepatitis B or C infection.
• Positive results of drug screen that cannot be explained by use of approved prescription medication (amphetamine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cocaine). Current (past 30 days) heavy smokers (greater than or equal 1 pack per day).tetrahydrocannabinol
• Received another investigational product within the last 30 days. Investigational product may be a drug, vaccine, medical device or medical procedure.
• History of significant head trauma, alcohol or substance abuse or other medical illnesses that could cause a neurological deficit (e.g., cerebro-vascular disease).
• Medication or alcohol use that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may influence or bias the clinical outcome of the trial.
• History of any serious chronic medical or psychiatric illnesses or condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, might interfere with the evaluation of the study objectives.
• History of chronic or severe headaches, myalgia, arthralgia, malaise, fatigue or other systemic disorder commonly observed as AEs for licensed meningococcal vaccines.
• Currently experiencing a cold, flu or other acute illness (subject may be deferred until after recovery).