RSV Study in Adults 60 to 75 Years of Age

RSV is a common virus that affects all human age groups. Typical RSV illness is identified by symptoms such as runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, earache, malaise or tiredness, cough, shortness of breath, headache, muscle ache, joint ache or stiffness, chilliness and feverishness. RSV spreads easily from person to person through the eyes, nose or mouth when droplets containing the virus, such as those from coughing or sneezing, are inhaled or passed to others. Adults with risk factors, like another illness or disease, may experience an RSV illness that is more severe or lasts longer. RSV may also start a worsening of health in frail adults, people with weak immune systems, and those with chronic cardio-pulmonary disease.

No treatment or vaccine to treat or prevent RSV disease is available in the UK. Vaccination against RSV has the potential to be a highly beneficial and effective approach to reduce RSV disease in older adults as well as other high-risk adult and paediatric populations. The use of RSV human viral challenge model provides an important tool to evaluate the effectiveness of new RSV vaccines. Specifically, a RSV human viral challenge in 60 to 75-year-old individuals would enable measuring the effectiveness of RSV vaccines in a population that is thought to be less responsive to vaccines than the 18-45-year-old population.

The purpose of this study is to infect up to 74 healthy subjects aged 60 to 75 years old with RSV in a controlled quarantine environment to confirm how safe and well tolerated the use of an experimental RSV virus infection is in a population that has not previously received the virus. Additionally, the investigators will also look at various components of the subjects' blood, the lining of their noses and other samples in order to measure the effects of the virus on the body, in particularly the immune system before, during and after viral infection.

The study will consist of 3 phases: 1) Screening, 2) Quarantine and 3) Follow-up.

The enrolment of the subjects will be staggered with safety data reviews performed between groups. Each volunteer will be in the study for approximately 3 months from screening to their last scheduled clinic visit.

Inclusion criteria

(non-exhaustive list):

• Healthy subjects aged 60 to 75 years
• Able to give informed consent
• A total body weight ≥ 50 kg and Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 18 kg/m2 and ≤ 33 kg/m2.
• In good health with no history of major medical conditions, or clinically significant test abnormalities that will interfere with subject safety as determined by the Investigator at screening evaluation
• Documented medical history either prior to entering the study and/or following medical history review by the Investigator at screening.
• Serum IgA result within normal range at screening.
• Subjects meeting the contraception criteria of the study.

Exclusion criteria

(non-exhaustive list):

• Subjects who have smoked ≥ 10 pack years (or 20 cigarettes a day for 10 years). Of those subjects that have smoked less than 10 pack years at any time, a subject will be excluded, if in the last year, he/she has smoked any number of cigarettes in the last month and/or they have used tobacco in any form or other nicotine-containing products in any form.
• Subjects who smoked in the last month prior to the study
• Females who are breastfeeding, have been pregnant within 6 months prior to the study, or have a positive pregnancy test.
• History of clinically significant or major disease that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may interfere with a subject completing the study and necessary investigations.
• A forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) < 80% predicted.
• Twelve-lead ECG recording with clinically relevant abnormalities.
• Positive HIV, Hep A, B or C test.
• Confirmed positive test for drugs of abuse.
• Presence of fever prior to the challenge.
• Evidence of vaccinations within the 4 weeks prior to the planned date of enrolment, or intention to receive any vaccination before the last scheduled visit of the study.
• Those employed or immediate relatives of those employed at hVIVO.
• Receipt of blood or blood products, or loss (including blood donations) of 470 mL or more of blood during the 3 months prior to the planned date of enrolment.
• Receipt of systemic glucocorticoids or systemic antiviral drugs within 6 months prior to the planned date of enrolment.
• History or currently active symptoms suggestive of upper or lower respiratory tract infection within 6 weeks prior to enrolment.
• Any clinically significant history of large nosebleeds.
• Any significant abnormality altering the anatomy of the nose.
• History of significant/severe wheeze, respiratory symptoms resulting in hospitalisation, or known bronchial hyperreactivity to viruses.
• History of anaphylaxis-and/or severe allergic reaction.
• Use or anticipated use during the conduct of the study of concomitant medications.
• Resident of nursing home and other long-term care facilities or with close or household contact with vulnerable people for approximately 2 weeks following discharge from unit.
• History or presence of alcohol addiction.
• Any other finding that, in the opinion of the Investigator, deems the subject unsuitable for the study.
• Subjects with no detectable antibody to the challenge virus.