The safety and immunogenicity of a bivalent conjugate vaccine against Salmonella enterica Typhi and Paratyphi A in healthy Indian adults: a phase 1, randomised, active-controlled, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: Enteric fever caused by Salmonella enterica Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi A is an important public health problem, especially in low-income and middle-income countries with limited access to safe water and sanitation. We present results from, to our knowledge, the first ever human study of a bivalent paratyphoid A-typhoid conjugate vaccine (Sii-PTCV). METHODS: In this double-blind phase 1 study, 60 healthy Indian adults were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive a single intramuscular dose of either Sii-PTCV or typhoid conjugate vaccine (Typbar-TCV). Safety was assessed by observing solicited adverse events for 1 week, unsolicited events for 1 month, and serious adverse events (SAEs) over 6 months. Immunogenicity at 1 month and 6 months was assessed by measuring anti-capsular polysaccharide antigen Vi (anti-Vi) IgG and IgA against Salmonella Typhi and anti-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) IgG against Salmonella Paratyphi A by ELISA, and functional antibodies using serum bactericidal assay (SBA) against Salmonella Paratyphi A. This study is registered with Clinical Trial Registry-India (CTRI/2022/06/043608) and is completed. FINDINGS: 60 participants were enrolled. Of these 60 participants, 57 (95%) participants were male and three (5%) participants were female. Solicited adverse events were observed in 27 (90%) of 30 participants who received Sii-PTCV and 26 (87%) of 30 participants who received Typbar-TCV. The most common local solicited event was pain in 27 (90%) participants who received Sii-PTCV and in 23 (77%) participants who received Typbar-TCV. The most common solicited systemic event was myalgia in five (17%) participants who received Sii-PTCV, whereas four (13%) participants who received Typbar-TCV had myalgia and four (13%) had headache. No vaccine-related unsolicited adverse events or SAEs were reported. The seroconversion rates on day 29 were 96·7% (95% CI 82·8-99·9) with Sii-PTCV and 100·0% (88·4-100·0) with Typbar-TCV for anti-Vi IgG; 93·3% (77·9-99·2) with Sii-PTCV and 100·0% (88·4-100·0) with Typbar-TCV for anti-Vi IgA; 100·0% (88·4-100·0) with Sii-PTCV and 3·3% (0·1-17·2) with Typbar-TCV for anti-LPS (paratyphoid); and 93·3% (77·9-99·2) with Sii-PTCV and 0% (0·0-11·6) with Typbar-TCV for SBA titres (paratyphoid). Paratyphoid anti-LPS immune responses were sustained at day 181. INTERPRETATION: Sii-PTCV was safe and immunogenic for both typhoid and paratyphoid antigens indicating its potential for providing comprehensive protection against enteric fever. FUNDING: Serum Institute of India.

Meningococcal Serogroup ACWYX Conjugate Vaccine in Malian Toddlers.

BACKGROUND: Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, B, C, W, X, and Y cause outbreaks of meningococcal disease. Quadrivalent conjugate vaccines targeting the A, C, W, and Y serogroups are available. A pentavalent vaccine that also includes serogroup X (NmCV-5) is under development. METHODS: We conducted a phase 2, observer-blinded, randomized, controlled trial involving Malian children 12 to 16 months of age. Participants were assigned in a 2:2:1 ratio to receive nonadjuvanted NmCV-5, alum-adjuvanted NmCV-5, or the quadrivalent vaccine MenACWY-D, administered intramuscularly in two doses 12 weeks apart. Participants were followed for safety for 169 days. Immunogenicity was assessed with an assay for serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) with rabbit complement on days 0, 28, 84, and 112. RESULTS: A total of 376 participants underwent randomization, with 150 assigned to each NmCV-5 group and 76 to the MenACWY-D group; 362 participants received both doses of vaccine. A total of 1% of the participants in the nonadjuvanted NmCV-5 group, 1% of those in the adjuvanted NmCV-5 group, and 4% of those in the MenACWY-D group reported local solicited adverse events; 6%, 5%, and 7% of the participants, respectively, reported systemic solicited adverse events. An SBA titer of at least 128 was seen in 91 to 100% (for all five serotypes) of the participants in the NmCV-5 groups and in 36 to 99% (excluding serogroup X) of those in the MenACWY-D group at day 84 (before the second dose); the same threshold was met in 99 to 100% (for all five serotypes) of the participants in the NmCV-5 groups and in 92 to 100% (excluding serogroup X) of those in the MenACWY-D group at day 112. Immune responses to the nonadjuvanted and adjuvanted NmCV-5 formulations were similar. CONCLUSIONS: No safety concerns were identified with two doses of NmCV-5. A single dose of NmCV-5 elicited immune responses that were similar to those observed with two doses of MenACWY-D. Adjuvanted NmCV-5 provided no discernible benefit over nonadjuvanted NmCV-5. (Funded by the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03295318.).

Comparison of a Novel Human Rabies Monoclonal Antibody to Human Rabies Immunoglobulin for Postexposure Prophylaxis: A Phase 2/3, Randomized, Single-Blind, Noninferiority, Controlled Study.

Background: Lack of access to rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) contributes to high rabies mortality. A recombinant human monoclonal antibody (SII RMAb) was tested in a postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) regimen in comparison with a human RIG (HRIG)-containing PEP regimen. Methods: This was a phase 2/3, randomized, single-blind, noninferiority study conducted in 200 participants with World Health Organization category III suspected rabies exposures. Participants received either SII RMAb or HRIG (1:1 ratio) in wounds and, if required, intramuscularly on day 0, along with 5 doses of rabies vaccine intramuscualarly on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28. The primary endpoint was the ratio of the day 14 geometric mean concentration (GMC) of rabies virus neutralizing activity (RVNA) as measured by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test for SII RMAb recipients relative to HRIG recipients. Results: One hundred ninety-nine participants received SII RMAb (n = 101) or HRIG (n = 98) and at least 1 dose of vaccine. The day 14 GMC ratio of RVNA for the SII RMAb group relative to the HRIG group was 4.23 (96.9018% confidence interval [CI], 2.59-6.94) with a GMC of of 24.90 IU/mL (95% CI, 18.94-32.74) for SII RMAb recipients and 5.88 IU/mL (95% CI, 4.11-8.41) for HRIG recipients. The majority of local injection site and systemic adverse reactions reported from both groups were mild to moderate in severity. Conclusions: A PEP regimen containing SII RMAb was safe and demonstrated noninferiority to HRIG PEP in RVNA production. The novel monoclonal potentially offers a safe and potent alternative for the passive component of PEP and could significantly improve the management of bites from suspected rabid animals. Clincical Trials Registration: CTRI/2012/05/002709.

An observer-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 1, single ascending dose study of dengue monoclonal antibody in healthy adults in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is highly prevalent in Asia and Latin America and has no specific dengue antiviral treatment. A recombinant monoclonal antibody (VIS513) that neutralises all four serotypes of the dengue virus has been developed in India. After confirmation of safety and efficacy in preclinical studies, it was tested in a first-in-human study to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics. METHODS: This was a partially blind (observer-blind), randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 1, single ascending dose study in Australia. Participants were dengue naive, healthy adults (aged 18-45 years) with no clinically significant disorders or immunosuppressive conditions. Four dose levels of dengue monoclonal antibody (ie, 1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 7 mg/kg, and 12 mg/kg; n=4 for 1 mg/kg and n=10 each for 3 mg/kg, 7 mg/kg, and 12 mg/kg doses) were assessed in a dose-ascending way with a placebo control (n=2 for each dose cohort, total n=6) for each cohort except for 1 mg/kg. Within each cohort, participants were first randomly assigned (1:1) in a sentinel sub-cohort and then randomly assigned (9:1) in an expansion sub-cohort to dengue monoclonal antibody or placebo except for the 1 mg/kg cohort. Participants, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked and treatment administrators were not masked. 40 participants received a single intravenous injection or infusion of either dengue monoclonal antibody or placebo over a period of 3 min to 2 h and were followed up until day 85. The primary outcomes were proportion of participants with adverse events and serious adverse events (SAEs) up to 84 days after dosing whereas the secondary outcomes were to assess the pharmacokinetic profile of dengue monoclonal antibody and to assess the presence of anti-drug antibody (ADA) to dengue monoclonal antibody. All participants were included in the safety analysis and the pharmacokinetic population involved participants receiving dengue monoclonal antibody. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03883620. FINDINGS: Between March 22 and Dec 23, 2019, 40 healthy adults were randomly assigned and all completed the study. There were no SAEs reported. None of the placebo recipients (n=6) reported any adverse events. 31 (91%) of 34 participants receiving dengue monoclonal antibody reported 143 adverse events (1 mg/kg: four [100%] of four participants; 3 mg/kg: ten [100%] of ten participants; 7 mg/kg: seven [70%] of ten participants; 12 mg/kg: ten [100%] of ten participants). Of these 143 adverse events, 80 were treatment-related adverse events in 28 (82%) of 34 participants. Headache (16 [47%] of 34), infusion reaction (11 [32%] of 34), lymphopenia (seven [21%] of 34), fatigue (five [15%] of 34), and pyrexia (four [12%] of 34) were the most common reactions. Infusion reactions were reduced in the 7 mg/kg (two [20%] of ten participants) and 12 mg/kg (three [30%] of ten) cohorts with paracetamol premedication compared with the 3 mg/kg cohort (five [50%] of ten). The majority of adverse events were grade 1 or grade 2 in severity, and resolved completely. Median maximum serum concentrations ranged from 28 µg/mL (1 mg/kg) to 525 µg/mL (12 mg/kg). The median elimination half-life ranged from 775 h (1 mg/kg) to 878 h (12 mg/kg). No ADA against dengue monoclonal antibody was detected. INTERPRETATION: Dengue monoclonal antibody was safe and well tolerated. It showed a dose-proportionate increase in pharmacokinetic exposure. These data support further evaluation of dengue monoclonal antibody in patients with dengue for safety and efficacy. FUNDING: Serum Institute of India.

Evaluation of Critical Quality Attributes of a Pentavalent (A, C, Y, W, X) Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine for Global Use.

Towards achieving the goal of eliminating epidemic outbreaks of meningococcal disease in the African meningitis belt, a pentavalent glycoconjugate vaccine (NmCV-5) has been developed to protect against Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y, W and X. MenA and X polysaccharides are conjugated to tetanus toxoid (TT) while MenC, Y and W polysaccharides are conjugated to recombinant cross reactive material 197 (rCRM197), a non-toxic genetic variant of diphtheria toxin. This study describes quality control testing performed by the manufacturer, Serum Institute of India Private Limited (SIIPL), and the independent control laboratory of the U.K. (NIBSC) on seven clinical lots of the vaccine to ensure its potency, purity, safety and consistency of its manufacturing. In addition to monitoring upstream-manufactured components, samples of drug substance, final drug product and stability samples were evaluated. This paper focuses on the comparison of the vaccine's critical quality attributes and reviews key indicators of its stability and immunogenicity. Comparable results were obtained by the two laboratories demonstrating sufficient levels of polysaccharide O-acetylation, consistency in size of the bulk conjugate molecules, integrity of the conjugated saccharides in the drug substance and drug product, and acceptable endotoxin content in the final drug product. The freeze-dried vaccine in 5-dose vials was stable based on molecular sizing and free saccharide assays. Lot-to-lot manufacturing consistency was also demonstrated in preclinical studies for polysaccharide-specific IgG and complement-dependent serum bactericidal activity for each serogroup. This study demonstrates the high quality and stability of NmCV-5, which is now undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials in Africa and India.

Formulation and evaluation of lecithin organogel for topical delivery of fluconazole.

The purpose of the present study was to develop and investigate the suitability of microemulsion based lecithin organogel formulations for topical delivery of fluconazole in order to bypass its gastrointestinal adverse effects. The ternary phase diagrams were developed and various organogel formulations were prepared using pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant (lecithin) and ethyl oleate (EO). Solubility of fluconazole in EO and EO-lecithin reverse micellar system was determined. The transdermal permeability of fluconazole from different concentrations of lecithin organogels containing EO as oil phase was analyzed using Keshary-Chien diffusion cell through excised rat skin. Solubility of fluconazole in EO-lecithin reverse micellar system was almost 3 folds higher than that in EO. Gelation and immobilization of oil require critical solubility-insolubility balance of gelator. The occurrence of gel phase was lecithin concentration dependent and was observed in 10-60% w/v of system. Organogel containing 300 mM of lecithin showed the higher drug release and better relative consistency. Hence, it was selected for antifungal activity. The increase in antifungal activity of fluconazole in lecithin organogel may be because of the surfactant action of the lecithin and EO that may help in the diffusion of drug. The histopathological data showed that EO-lecithin organogels were safe enough for the topical purpose. Hence, the present lecithin based organogel appears beneficial for topical delivery of fluconazole in terms of easy preparation, safety, stability and low cost.

Safety and immunogenicity of a pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine containing serogroups A, C, Y, W, and X in healthy adults: a phase 1, single-centre, double-blind, randomised, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Invasive meningococcal disease is an important public health problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. After introduction of MenAfriVac in 2010, Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A disease has been almost eliminated from the region. However, serogroups C, W, Y, and X continue to cause disease outbreaks. We assessed the NmCV-5 pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine targeting A, C, Y, W, and X serogroups in a first-in-man, phase 1 study. METHODS: We did a single-centre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial at a research clinic in Baltimore (MD, USA). Participants were healthy adults aged 18-45 years with no history of meningococcal vaccination or previous meningococcal infection. We randomly assigned participants (1:1:1) by an SAS-generated random schedule to a single, 0·5 mL, intramuscular injection of aluminium-phosphate adjuvanted NmCV-5, non-adjuvanted NmCV-5, or control (the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine Menactra). The randomisation sequence used a permuted block design with randomly chosen block sizes of three and six. The vaccines were prepared, labelled, and administered with procedures to ensure participants and study personnel remained masked to treatment. After vaccination, participants were observed in the clinic for 60 min for adverse reactions. Participants recorded daily temperature and injection site or systemic reactions at home and returned to the clinic for follow-up visits on days 7, 28, and 84 for safety assessments; blood samples were also collected on day 7 for safety laboratory assessment. A phone call contact was made 6 months after vaccination. Serum was collected before vaccination and 28 days after vaccination for immunological assessment with a rabbit complement-dependent serum bactericidal antibody (rSBA) assay. The primary objective was an intention-to-treat assessment of safety, measuring local and systemic reactogenicity over 7 days, unsolicited adverse events through 28 days, and serious adverse events over 6 months. The secondary objective for the assessment of immunogenicity, was a per-protocol analysis of rSBA before and 28 days after vaccination. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02810340. FINDINGS: Between Aug 17, 2016, and Feb 16, 2017, we assigned 20 participants to each vaccine. All vaccines were well-tolerated. Pain was the most common local reaction, occurring in 12 (60%), ten (50%), and seven (35%) participants in the adjuvanted NmCV-5, non-adjuvanted NmCV-5, and control groups, respectively. Headache was the most common systemic reaction, occurring in five (25%), three (15%), and three (15%), respectively. Most solicited reactogenicity adverse reactions were mild (60 [74%] of 81) and all were self-limiting. None of the differences in proportions of individuals with each solicited reaction was significant (p>0·300 for all comparisons) between the three vaccination groups. There were no serious adverse events and 19 unsolicited non-serious adverse events in 14 (23%) participants. Both adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted NmCV-5 elicited high rSBA titres against all five meningococcal serogroups. The pre-vaccination geometric mean titres (GMTs) ranged from 3·36 to 53·80 for the control, from 6·28 to 187·00 for the adjuvanted vaccine, and from 4·29 to 350·00 for the non-adjuvanted vaccine, and the post-vaccination GMT ranged from 3·14 to 3214 for the control, from 1351 to 8192 for the adjuvanted vaccine, and from 1607 to 11 191 for the non-adjuvanted vaccine. Predicted seroprotective responses (ie, an increase in rSBA titres of eight times or more) for the adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted NmCV-5 were similar to control responses for all five serogroups. INTERPRETATION: The adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted NmCV-5 vaccines were well tolerated and did not produce concerning adverse effects and resulted in immune responses that are predicted to confer protection against all five targeted serogroups of invasive meningococcal disease. Further clinical testing of NmCV-5 is ongoing, and additional clinical trials are necessary to confirm the safety and immunogenicity of NmCV-5 in target populations. FUNDING: UK Department for International Development.

Stability of heat stable, live attenuated Rotavirus vaccine (ROTASIIL®).

Vaccines currently available across the globe are stored and transported in a continuous cold-chain at 2-8°C or below -20°C. A temperature excursion outside this range affects the potency of the vaccines. Such vaccines need to be discarded leading wastage. The Rotavirus disease burden is predominantly reported in developing and low-income countries and therefore, has entered or poised to enter their national immunization programs. These countries already have several limitations for effective storage, maintenance and distribution of vaccines in a cold-chain and this introduction is expected to further stress this fragile ecosystem. To help mitigate the cold chain related issues, SIIPL has developed a thermostable rotavirus vaccine ROTASIIL® which can be stored at a temperature below 25°C for 36months, completely by-passing the standard 2-8°C cold storages. In addition it has the capability to withstand temperatures of 37°C and 40°C for 18months and short term exposure to 55°C. It can also tolerate a temperature shock of being thawed from an extreme cold temperature of -20°C to a high temperature of 42°C. The vaccine contains serotypes G1, G2, G3, G4 and G9 (UK-Bovine reassortant strains procured from National Institute of Health-USA). The vaccine is recently licensed in India.

Pluronic gels for nasal delivery of Vitamin B12. Part I: preformulation study.

Thermoreversible nasal gels of Vitamin B(12) using pluronic PF 127 were aimed to improve absorption and patient compliance. In the present research work, effects of Vitamin B(12) and gel additives, viz. PF concentration, osmolarity, polyethylene glycol (PEG 15000) on thermodynamic properties of phase transitions at gelation (T(1)) and gel melting (T(2)) is reported. Aqueous PF 127 gels prepared by cold method containing pluronic (20-24%, w/w), vitamin, sorbitol, PEG, and benzalkonium chloride. T(1) decreases and T(2) increases with vitamin and PF concentration. Gelation range narrows with sorbitol and PEG. Suppression of T(2) is significantly higher than T(1) with both the additives. The linearity was observed only for semilogarithmic plot of PF concentration and 1/T(2) for sorbitol and PEG, which reveals significant interaction of both at gel melting. Enthalpy of both transitions remains unchanged with vitamin indicating no interaction with polymer. Benzalkonium chloride decreased gelation onset temperature. Thermodynamic properties of PF 127 gels are significantly altered with polymer concentration and water-soluble formulation additives.

Formulation and evaluation of mucoadhesive tablets containing eugenol for the treatment of periodontal diseases.

Eugenol is the principle chemical constituent of clove oil and has been used to cure dental problems for ages. Eugenol is an integral part of the dentist's kit due to its analgesic, local anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. It is used in the form of a paste or mixture as dental cement, filler, and restorative material. This study reports the development and evaluation of controlled-release mucoadhesive tablets for gingival application, containing eugenol, which are prepared by taking carbopol 934 P and Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) K4M in the ratio of 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1. Incorporation of eugenol (10 mg) in a mucoadhesive formulation provides controlled release for a period of 8 hours, which is advantageous over conventional use. In vitro mucoadhesion measured as detachment force in grams and the formulations show good correlation in vivo. The release study indicates that increase in carbopol increases the release rate of eugenol from the formulation whereas HPMC retards it. Increased in vitro bioadhesion is related to HPMC content of the formulation. The release kinetics of eugenol in vitro correlates with the in vivo results. This indicates the increased potential of eugenol as antibacterial, local analgesic, and anaesthetic treatment.