PREVENT-COVID-19: A Q-Griffithsin Intranasal Spray

Q-Griffithsin (Q-GRFT) nasal spray is an investigational product that has broad spectrum antiviral activity. Q-GRFT is derived from Griffithsin (GRFT) a naturally occurring protein originally isolated from the red alga Griffithsia found in the South Pacific Ocean. For the purposes of this study GRFT has been genetically modified to produce a more stable compound less prone to oxidation, Q-GRFT. Q-GRFT is under study for potential therapeutic applications against several viral pathogens including HIV, herpes simplex virus type-2, and hepatitis C Q-GRFT suppresses replication of many different coronaviruses, including coronaviruses that cause the common cold, as well as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus type-1 (SARS-CoV) as well as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus type-2 (SARS-CoV-2).

The investigational product is a nasal spray containing Q-GRFT, and other excipients designed to optimize delivery of Q-GRFT to the nasal and naso-pharyngeal mucosa, where SARS-CoV-2 often first initiates infection.

Up to 18 healthy individuals between the ages of 18 and 60 years will be enrolled at the University of Louisville. Participants will be assigned 2:1 In a randomized and blinded fashion to receive either the Q-GRFT nasal spray or a placebo nasal spray. Participants in this study will have screening procedures including lab tests and health questions. If they are eligible for the study, they will have blood drawn for additional lab tests, have an examination of their nasal cavity by a doctor using a scope, and have nasal and throat mucus samples collected. There will be one dose of a nasal spray after the participant is randomized to their respective group. Samples will be collected at 1, 6, and 24 hours as well as 3 days after the nasal spray dose. The participant will answer questions about their quality of life, medical history and current medical status, and their experience with the study treatment. Their COVID-19 antibodies will also be checked, and they will be informed of the results. This is a phase 1 trial. The first human tests of investigational drugs or therapies occur in Phase 1 trials. Phase 1 trials are designed to determine the best dose of the study drug and to check for any potential side effects.

Inclusion criteria

• Age of 18 through 60 years at screening.
• COVID-19 negative using Rapid antigen test at screening
• Able and willing to provide written informed consent to take part in the study.
• Able and willing to provide adequate information for locator purposes.
• Availability to return for all study visits, barring unforeseen circumstances.
• Agree not to participate in other research studies involving drugs and/or medical devices during the study period.
• Female participants must meet the following criteria:

• Postmenopausal or using (or willing to use) an acceptable form of contraception (e.g., barrier method, IUD, hormonal contraception, sexual abstinence, surgical sterilization, or vasectomization of male partner). If the female participant has female partners only, the method of contraception will be noted as a barrier method in the study documentation.
• Not be pregnant at the baseline or enrollment visit
• Not be breastfeeding at screening or intend to breastfeed during study participation per participant report
• Willingness and ability to safely defer vaccinations until after study participation is completed.
• Must be in general good health in the opinion of the investigator.

Exclusion criteria

• Participants with ongoing moderate to severe allergic rhinitis, asthma, or history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and currently suffering from chronic rhinitis or acute/chronic sinusitis.
• Participants who report any of the following at Screening:

• Ongoing common cold or flu-like symptoms for 48 hours prior to the screening, including sore throat, blocked nose, runny nose, cough, and sneezing.
• Participants who experience moderate or severe or higher seasonal allergies, such as hay fever, (symptoms in excess of mild, intermittent nasal rhinorrhea, sneezing, or itchy/watery eyes).
• Non-therapeutic injection drug use in the 6 months prior to screening and recreational snorting drug use or on prescription medication/ concomitant therapy other than for contraception and antibiotics. Concomitant prescription medications may include systemic steroids, intranasal medicines, among others.
• Participants who are current smokers.
• Known Allergy to methylparaben, or propylparaben, or any ingredients of the formulated drug product.
• Use of systemic immunomodulatory medications (Thalidomide, Lenalidomide, Pomalidomide, Imiquimod, etc.), anticoagulants, and other drugs assessed by the site Investigator within the 4 weeks prior to the Enrollment.
• History of alcohol/ substance abuse within 6 months of study enrollment.
• History of any vaccination within the 2 weeks prior to enrollment.
• Participating in another research study involving drugs or medical devices within the 4 weeks prior to enrollment
• Having plans to relocate away from the study site area during the period of study participation
• Has any of the following laboratory abnormalities at Screening:

• White blood cell count < 2,000 cells/mm3 or > 15,000 cells/mm3
• Hemoglobin <12 g/dL for men and <11 g/dL for women.
• Calculated creatinine clearance >1.1 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Alanine transaminase (ALT) and/or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 1.1 × the site laboratory ULN
• Total bilirubin > 1.1 x ULN
• ≥ +1 glucose or +2 protein on urinalysis (UA)
• Any other condition or prior therapy that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude informed consent, make study participation unsafe, make the individual unsuitable for the study, or unable to comply with the study requirements. Such conditions may include but are not limited to, a current or recent history (within last 6 months) of severe, progressive, or uncontrolled substance abuse, or renal, hepatic, hematological, gastrointestinal, endocrine, pulmonary, neurological, cerebral disease, severe nasal septum deviation, or other condition that may cause nasal obstruction like nasal polyps or nasal/ sinus surgery in the past.