Abstract

The novel SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of the coronavirus (CoV) disease (COVID-19) outbreak that currently pose a serious pandemic threat to public health. A safe vaccine that rapidly induces long-lasting virus-specific immune responses is urgently needed. The CoV spike (S) protein, a characteristic structural component of the viral envelope, is considered a key target for vaccines against CoV infection, as we and others have previously demonstrated for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS) CoV infections. The safety profile of non-infectious recombinant protein subunit vaccines makes them suitable for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates for preclinical testing. To develop a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, we constructed SARS-CoV-2-S1 subunit constructs and established an intracutaneous delivery platform using a novel, dissolving microneedle array (MNA) that enhances the immunogenicity of these subunit vaccines in mice, as determined by S1 specific viral titers in serum. Here, we propose to evaluate this PittCoVacc vaccine in a phase I clinical trial through a single specific aim designed to complete ongoing IND enabling studies, any additional parallel studies recommended by the FDA, and then to conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers.

Public Health Relevance

The novel coronavirus, previously dubbed 2019-nCoV, and now officially named SARS-CoV-2 which caused the corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak and was first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Safe vaccines that rapidly induce long-lasting virus-specific immune responses are urgently needed. We have recently established that intracutaneous delivery using a novel, dissolving microneedle array the SARS-CoV-2 Spike 1 subunit vaccine (PittCoVacc) is immunogenic in a murine mouse model. Here, we propose to evaluate the PittCoVacc vaccine in an investigator-initiated phase I clinical trial. This research project will provide critically important information on the safety and immunogenicity of the PittCoVacc.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project with Complex Structure Cooperative Agreement (UM1)
Project #
3UM1AI106701-07S2
Application #
10147381
Study Section
Program Officer
Livnat, Daniella
Project Start
2020-07-15
Project End
2020-11-30
Budget Start
2020-07-15
Budget End
2020-11-30
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
092530369
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095

  Publications

Chow, Felicia C; Makanjuola, Akintomiwa; Wu, Kunling et al. (2018) Physical activity is associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment in women but not men living with HIV infection. J Infect Dis :
Robertson, K; Oladeji, B; Jiang, H et al. (2018) HIV-1 and TB Co-infection in Multinational Resource Limited Settings: Increased neurological dysfunction. Clin Infect Dis :
Hart, Stephen A; Vardhanabhuti, Saran; Strobino, Sarah A et al. (2018) Impact of Changes Over Time in the Stanford University Genotypic Resistance Interpretation Algorithm. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 79:e21-e29
Venuto, Charles S; Lim, Jihoon; Messing, Susan et al. (2018) Inflammation investigated as a source of pharmacokinetic variability of atazanavir in AIDS Clinical Trials Group protocol A5224s. Antivir Ther 23:345-351
Jennings, Cheryl; Wager, Carrie G; Scianna, Salvatore R et al. (2018) Use of External Quality Control Material for HIV-1 RNA Testing To Assess the Comparability of Data Generated in Separate Laboratories and the Stability of HIV-1 RNA in Samples after Prolonged Storage. J Clin Microbiol 56:
Cirrincione, Lauren R; Penchala, Sujan Dilly; Scarsi, Kimberly K et al. (2018) Development, validation and utilization of a highly sensitive LC-MS/MS method for quantification of levonorgestrel released from a subdermal implant in human plasma. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 1084:106-112
Gandhi, Monica; Gandhi, Rajesh T; Stefanescu, Andrei et al. (2018) Cumulative Antiretroviral Exposure Measured in Hair Is Not Associated With Measures of HIV Persistence or Inflammation Among Individuals on Suppressive ART. J Infect Dis 218:234-238
Kelesidis, Theodoros; Moser, Carlee B; Johnston, Elizabeth et al. (2018) Brief Report: Changes in Plasma RANKL-Osteoprotegerin in a Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial of Initial Antiviral Therapy: A5260s. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 78:362-366
Kelesidis, Theodoros; Kendall, Michelle A; Danoff, Ann et al. (2018) Soluble levels of receptor for advanced glycation endproducts and dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus: ACTG NWCS332. Medicine (Baltimore) 97:e10955
Kearney, Mary F; Spindler, Jonathan; Wiegand, Ann et al. (2018) Lower pre-ART intra-participant HIV-1 pol diversity may not be associated with virologic failure in adults. PLoS One 13:e0190438

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