Study of a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Virus-like Particle (VLP) Vaccine in Healthy Adults

This phase I study is designed as double-blinded, randomised, placebo controlled, three-armed study composed of two different dose arms of protective VLP vaccine (harboring M, N, E, and hexapro modified S proteins of SARS-CoV-2 virus) against SARS-CoV-2 in dose escalations (first low dose group, followed by high dose group) and placebo arm. Each dose of vaccine will be defined as a cohort in itself, with vaccine administration to 12 participants and placebo administration to 6 participants. After completion of low-dose group, decision of switch to high-dose will be taken by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee and study will continue accordingly.

The study will be completed in 12 months.

All injections will be done subcutaneously.

Inclusion criteria

To be eligible for the study, each participant must satisfy all the following criteria:

• Healthy participants between 18-59 years of age,
• Sign an informed consent document,
• Negative immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody for COVID-19,
• Negative quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) SARS-CoV-2 results of nasopharyngeal/sputum samples,
• Able to comply with the study protocol during the study period,
• Negative tests for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV),
• Body temperature <37.2 C,
• Body mass index 18-35 kg/m2,
• Normal laboratory levels of whole blood count, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, and fasting blood glucose,
• Good general health (no known disease in the history and physical examination within 14 days prior to the enrolment),
• Female participants who are not pregnant or who will be able to have appropriate contraception methods within 30 days prior to vaccine injection and within 6 months after vaccination,
• Male participants who will be able to have appropriate contraception methods for 6 months after vaccination,

Exclusion criteria

Participants with any of the following criteria will be excluded:

• History of seizure, encephalopathy or psychosis,
• History of allergic reactions to any known vaccine or to any component of the study vaccine,
• Pregnant, breastfeeding or positive pregnancy test or planning to conceive within 6 months,
• Active infection signs or body temperature >37.2 C,
• History of SARS-CoV-2 infection,
• Severe cardiovascular disorders (arrhythmia, conduction disorders, history of myocardial infarction, uncontrolled hypertension),
• Severe chronic disorders (asthma, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders…etc),
• Congenital or acquired angioedema,
• Diagnosis of immunodeficiency,
• Diagnosis of bleeding diathesis,
• Use of immunosuppressive treatment, anti-allergic treatment, cytotoxic treatment, inhaler corticosteroids (allergic rhinitis or topical steroid ointments are excluded),
• Those who received blood and blood product transfusions in the last 6 months,
• Those on any vaccine program or experimental medication within 1 month prior to the study,
• History of any live vaccine administration within 1 month prior to the study,
• History of any inactive vaccine administration within 1 month prior to the study,
• Use of active tuberculosis treatment,
• According to the investigator's evaluation, those who have any condition (medical, psychological, social, etc.) that may impair the patient's compliance with the study will be excluded from the study.