Safety and Immunogenicity of the Convacell® Recombinant N Protein COVID-19 Vaccine.

We have developed Convacell®-a COVID-19 vaccine based on the recombinant nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2. This paper details Convacell's® combined phase I/II and IIb randomized, double-blind, interventional clinical trials. The primary endpoints were the frequency of adverse effects (AEs) and the titers of specific anti-N IgGs induced by the vaccination; secondary endpoints included the nature of the immune response. Convacell® demonstrated high safety in phase I with no severe AEs detected, 100% seroconversion by day 42 and high and sustained for 350 days anti-N IgG levels in phase II. Convacell® also demonstrated a fused cellular and humoral immune response. Phase IIb results showed significant post-vaccination increases in circulating anti-N IgG and N protein-specific IFNγ+-producing PBMC quantities among 438 volunteers. Convacell® showed same level of immunological efficacy for single and double dose vaccination regimens, including for elderly patients. The clinical studies indicate that Convacell® is safe and highly immunogenic.

The efficacy and safety of GP40081 (insulin aspart biphasic 30) compared with NovoMix® 30 in Type 2 diabetes patients.

Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of insulin Aspart-Mix biosimilar candidate GP40081 (GP-Asp30) compared with NovoMix® 30 (NN-Asp30). Materials & methods: In a randomized open-label, active-controlled, 26-week non-inferiority clinical trial 264 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomized 1:1 to receive once-daily GP-Asp30 or NN-Asp30. The primary safety end point was the immune response rate. Efficacy outcomes were a mean change in HbA1c (primary), frequency of achieving a glycemic g fasting plasma glucose levels, 7-point glucose profiles, and insulin doses. Results: The immune response developed in 10/126 (8%) participants in the GP-Asp30 group and in 10/125 (8%) participants in the NN-Asp30 group (p = 1.000). The mean difference in HbA1c change between groups was 0.12 (95%CI [-0.14, 0.38]). Other secondary efficacy and safety outcomes weren't statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion: GP-Asp30 demonstrated similar safety and efficacy compared with NN-Asp30 and may be considered a biosimilar insulin.

Licogliflozin for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2a study.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common chronic liver disease that may advance to fibrosis and lead to mortality; however, no pharmacotherapy is currently available. We tested the hypothesis that inhibition of both the sodium-glucose cotransporters 1 and 2 with licogliflozin would lead to improvement in NASH. A total of 107 patients with phenotypic or histologic NASH were randomized (1:2:2) to receive oral administration of either placebo (n = 21), licogliflozin 30 mg (n = 43) or 150 mg (n = 43) once daily for 12 weeks. Licogliflozin 150 mg showed a significant 32% (80% confidence interval (CI): 21-43%; P = 0.002) placebo-adjusted reduction in serum alanine aminotransferase after 12 weeks of treatment, the primary endpoint of the study. However, the 30 mg dose of licogliflozin did not meet the primary endpoint (placebo-adjusted reduction 21% (80% CI: 7-32%; P = 0.061)). Diarrhea occurred in 77% (33 of 43), 49% (21 of 43) and 43% (9 of 21) of patients treated with licogliflozin 150 mg, 30 mg and placebo, respectively, which was mostly mild in severity. No other major safety concerns were identified. Treatment with 150 mg licogliflozin led to reductions in serum alanine aminotransferase in patients with NASH. Studies of longer duration and in combination with drugs that have different mechanisms of action are needed to validate these findings and to define a role of licogliflozin as a therapeutic option for NASH. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03205150.

Efficacy and safety of GP40021 insulin lispro biphasic compared with Humalog Mix 25 in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Aim: To compare safety (immunogenicity) and efficacy of a biosimilar insulin GP-Lis25 and a reference insulin Ly-Lis25 (Humalog Mix 25) in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) patients. Materials & methods: This randomized open-label, 26-week clinical trial enrolled 210 T2D patients, randomized 1:1 to twice-daily GP-Lis25 or Ly-Lis25. The primary end point was immune response at 26th week. Noninferiority margin for HbA1c was 0.4%. Results: Immune response frequency was similar in GP-Lis25 and Ly-Lis25 groups both at week 12 (p = 0.651) and 26 (p = 0.164). The difference of HbA1c change at week 26 was (95% CI) 0.01 (-0.27-0.28)%. Fasting plasma glucose, seven-point glucose profile and insulin dose were similar between groups. Safety did not differ between groups. Conclusion: GP-Lis25 and Ly-Lis25 demonstrated similar safety and efficacy. ClincalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04023344.