A Study of INO-A002 in Healthy Dengue Virus-naive Adults

This is an interventional prevention trial for Healthy Volunteers Read More

1. Age 18-60 years;
2. Able to provide consent to participate and having signed an Informed Consent Form (ICF);
3. Able and willing to comply with all study procedures;
4. Body mass index (BMI) between 20 and 30, inclusive
5. Screening laboratory must be within normal limits or have only Grade 0-1 findings;
6. Normal screening ECG or screening ECG with no clinically significant findings;
7. Women of child-bearing potential agree to use medically effective contraception (oral contraception, barrier methods, spermicide with barrier methods, etc.) or have a partner who is sterile from enrollment to 6 months following the last injection, or have a partner who is medically unable to induce pregnancy.
8. Sexually active men who are considered sexually fertile must agree to use either a barrier method of contraception during the study, and agree to continue the use for at least 6 months following the last injection, or have a partner who is permanently sterile or is medically unable to become pregnant;
9. No history of clinically significant immunosuppressive or autoimmune disease. Individuals with HIV infection who have been virologically suppressed for more than 1 year and with current CD4 cell count entry greater than 500 cells/ul will be allowed into the study.
10. No history of dengue virus vaccination or illness; no history of yellow fever vaccination.
11. Dengue seronegative at baseline by screening laboratory evaluation
12. Not currently or within the previous 4 weeks taking immunosuppressive agents (excluding inhaled, topical skin and/or eye drop-containing corticosteroids, low-dose methotrexate, or prednisone at a dose less than 10 mg/day or steroid dose-equivalent).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Administration of an investigational compound either currently or within 30 days of first dose;
2. Previous receipt of an investigational product for the treatment or prevention of Zika virus except if participant is verified to have received placebo;
3. Administration of any vaccine within 4 weeks of first dose;
4. Administration of any monoclonal or polyclonal antibody product within 4 weeks of the first dose
5. Administration of any blood product within 3 months of first dose;
6. Pregnancy or breast feeding or plans to become pregnant during the course of the study;
7. Positive serologic result for dengue virus (any serotype) or history of receipt of either dengue virus or yellow fever virus vaccination at any time in the past;
8. Positive serologic test for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); or any potentially communicable infectious disease as determined by the Principal Investigator or Medical Monitor;
9. Positive serologic test for hepatitis C (exception: successful treatment with confirmation of sustained virologic response);
10. Baseline evidence of kidney disease as measured by creatinine greater than 1.5 (CKD Stage II or greater);
11. Baseline screening lab(s) with Grade 2 or higher abnormality, except for Grade 2 creatinine;
12. Chronic liver disease or cirrhosis;
13. Immunosuppressive illness including hematologic malignancy, history of solid organ or bone marrow transplantation;
14. Current or anticipated concomitant immunosuppressive therapy (excluding inhaled, topical skin and/or eye drop-containing corticosteroids, low-dose methotrexate, or prednisone at a dose greater than 10 mg/day or steroid dose-equivalent);
15. Current or anticipated treatment with TNF-α inhibitors such as infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept;
16. Prior major surgery or any radiation therapy within 4 weeks of group assignment;
17. Any pre-excitation syndromes, e.g., Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome;
18. Presence of a cardiac pacemaker or automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD)

19. Fewer than two acceptable sites available for IM injection and EP considering the deltoid and anterolateral quadriceps muscles. The following are unacceptable sites:

    • Tattoos, keloids or hypertrophic scars located within 2 cm of intended administration site;
    • Implantable-Cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker (to prevent a life-threatening arrhythmia) that is located ipsilateral to the deltoid injection site (unless deemed acceptable by a cardiologist);
    • Any metal implants or implantable medical device within the electroporation site.
20. Prisoner or participants who are compulsorily detained (involuntary incarceration) for treatment of either a physical or psychiatric illness;
21. Active drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements or assessment of immunologic endpoints; or
22. Not willing to allow storage and future use of samples for Zika virus related research
23. Any illness or condition that in the opinion of the investigator may affect the safety of the participant or the evaluation of any study endpoint.
24. Participants who plan to travel within 6 months of INO-A002 administration to a geographic location where DENV or ZIKV are currently active.
25. Participants with known bleeding diatheses or that are using blood thinners for 30 days before study enrollment including warfarin, heparin, Clopidogrel, Apixaban (Eliquis), Dabigatran (Pradaxa), Edoxaban (Savaysa), Rivaroxaban (Xarelto). The use of low dose aspirin (81 mg daily) will be acceptable.