This is a Phase Ib age de-escalation, dose escalation, open-label study to assess thesafety and immunogenicity of the multi-stage malaria vaccine candidate R21 plus RH5.1and/or R78C in Matrix-M in adults aged 18-35 years and children aged 5-17 months inBurkina Faso.
There will be six study groups. Group 1 will consist of 8 adults who will receive three
doses of 5 µg R21 + 10 µg RH5.1 + 10 µg R78C. Group 2 will consist of 8 children who will
receive three doses of 5 µg R21 + 10 µg RH5.1. Group 3 will consist of 8 children who
will receive three doses of 5 µg R21 + 10 µg R78C. Group 4 will consist of 8 children who
will receive three doses of 5 µg R21 + 10 µg RH5.1 +10 µg R78C. Group 5 will consist of 8
children who will receive three doses of 5 µg R21. Group 6 will consist of 16 children
who will receive three doses of 10 µg RH5.1 +10 µg R78C. All vaccinations will be given
in 50 µg Matrix-M. All groups will receive their vaccinations in a 0-1-6 month regimen.
Groups 1 to 4 and 6 will be recruited in a staggered process. There will be a DSMB review
prior to age deescalation. There will also be three sentinel participants per group and
DSMB reviews prior to each subsequent (second and third) vaccination. Group 5 can be
recruited at any time and without need for sentinel participants or DSMB review.
Biological: R21
A protein particle comprising recombinant HBsAg fused to the central repeat and the
C-terminus of the circumsporozoite protein
Biological: RH5.1
A soluble protein vaccine against the RH5 antigen
Biological: R78C
A soluble RIPR EGF-CyRPA fusion protein vaccine
Biological: Matrix-M™
A saponin-based vaccine adjuvant
Inclusion Criteria:
Only participants who meet all the inclusion criteria will be enrolled into the trial:
- Group 1: Healthy adult aged 18-35 years at the time of first study vaccination
- Group 2-6: Healthy child aged 5-17 months at the time of first study vaccination
- Group 1: Female participants must be non-pregnant (as demonstrated by a negative
urine pregnancy .
test), and practice continuous effective contraception until three months after the final
study vaccination
- Participant or parent/guardian provides signed/thumb-printed informed consent
- Participant (and parent/guardian for child participants) resident in the study area
villages, and anticipated to be available for vaccination and the duration of
follow-up -
Exclusion Criteria:
- The participant may not enter the trial if ANY of the following apply:
- Clinically significant congenital abnormalities as judged by the PI or other
delegated individual.
- Clinically significant skin disorder (psoriasis, contact dermatitis, etc.),
cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, endocrine disorder, liver disease,
renal disease, gastrointestinal disease, neurological illness as judged by the
PI or other delegated individual.
- History of cancer (except basal cell carcinoma of the skin and cervical
carcinoma in situ).
- Children with weight-for-age Z score of less than -3 or other clinical signs of
malnutrition.
- History of allergic reaction, significant IgE-mediated event, or anaphylaxis to
immunisation.
- History of allergic disease or reactions likely to be exacerbated by any
component of the vaccines.
- Sickle cell disease.
- Clinically significant laboratory abnormality at grade 2 or above as judged by
the PI or other delegated individual.
- Administration of immunoglobulins and/or any blood products within the three
months preceding the planned administration of the vaccine candidate.
- Receipt of any vaccine in the 14 days preceding enrolment, or planned receipt
of any other vaccine within 28 days following each study vaccination.
- History of vaccination with any malaria vaccine.
- Participation in another research study involving receipt of an investigational
product in the 30 days preceding enrolment, or planned use during the study
period.
- Suspected or known current alcohol misuse.
- Suspected or known injecting drug use in the 5 years preceding enrolment.
- Female participant who is pregnant, lactating or planning pregnancy during the
course of the trial.
- Scheduled elective surgery or other procedures requiring general anaesthesia
during the trial.
- Seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C (HCV IgG) or
HIV. For children, any history of vertical exposure to HIV infection.
- Any confirmed or suspected immunosuppressive or immunodeficient state,
including HIV infection; asplenia; recurrent, severe infections and chronic
(more than 14 days) immunosuppressant medication within the past 6 months (for
corticosteroids, this will mean prednisone, or equivalent, ≥ 0.5 mg/kg/day;
inhaled and topical steroids are allowed).
- Any significant disease, disorder or situation which, in the opinion of the
Investigator, may either put the participants at risk because of participation
in the trial, or may influence the result of the trial, or the participant's
ability to participate in the trial.
Vaccination and re-vaccination exclusion criteria:
The following adverse events associated with vaccine immunisation constitute absolute
contraindications to further administration of vaccine. If any of these events occur
during the study, the participant must be withdrawn and followed until resolution of the
event, as with any adverse event:
- Anaphylactic reaction following administration of vaccine.
- Pregnancy.
The following adverse events constitute contraindications to administration of vaccine at
that point in time; if any one of these adverse events occurs at the time scheduled for
vaccination, the participant may be vaccinated at a later date, or withdrawn at the
discretion of the Investigator. The participant must be followed until resolution of the
event as with any adverse event:
- Acute disease at the time of vaccination (acute disease is defined as the presence
of a moderate or severe illness with or without fever or symptoms suggestive of
possible COVID-19 disease). All vaccines can be administered to persons with a minor
illness such as diarrhoea or mild upper respiratory infection without fever, i.e.
axillary temperature < 37.5°C.
- Temperature of >37.5°C (99.5°F) at the time of vaccination.
Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé
Sigle,, Boulkiemdé Province, Burkina Faso
Investigator: Dr Athanase M. Somé, Doctorat en médecine
Contact: 25446249
athanasesome@crun.bf
Naomi N Kamau
+44 (0)1865611418
vaccinetrials@ndm.ox.ac.uk
Angela Minassian, Honorary Consultant and CI
Not Provided