Clinical Trial Info

Phase 3 Pivotal Trial of NanoFlu™ in Older Adults

Authored by
Staff

A Phase 3, randomized, observer-blinded, active-controlled trial to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of a recombinant quadrivalent nanoparticle influenza vaccine with Matrix-M1 adjuvant (NanoFlu) compared with a licensed quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in adults ≥ 65 years of age.

Both vaccines will be formulated with the 4 influenza strains recommended for the 2019-20 Northern hemisphere influenza season. Approximately 2650 subjects (1325 subjects/group) will be enrolled and randomized into 1 of 2 treatment groups to receive either NanoFlu or active comparator. Subjects will be followed for approximately 1 year following injection; with primary immunogenicity analyses based on Day 28 sera.

This trial will be conducted in the United States at approximately 19 clinical sites.

Results

The Lancet published on September 23, 2021 findings and interpretation on this clinical trial.

Findings

2742 adults were assessed for eligibility and 2654 were enrolled and randomised between Oct 14, 2019, and Oct 25, 2019; 1333 participants were randomised to the qNIV group and 1319 to the IIV4 group (two participants withdrew consent before being assigned to a group). qNIV showed immunological non-inferiority to IIV4: GMTRqNIV/IIV4 for the four vaccine homologous influenza strains was A/Brisbane 1·09 (95% CI 1·03 to 1·15), A/Kansas 1·19 (1·11 to 1·27), B/Maryland 1·03 (0·99 to 1·07), and B/Phuket 1·23 (1·16 to 1·29); and SCR difference was A/Brisbane 5·0 (95% CI 1·9 to 8·1), A/Kansas 7·3 (3·6 to 11·1), B/Maryland 0·5 (−1·9 to 2·9), and B/Phuket 8·5 (5·0 to 11·9). 659 (49·4%) of 1333 of participants in the qNIV group and 551 (41·8%) of 1319 participants in the IIV4 group had at least one treatment-emergent adverse event. More solicited adverse events were reported by participants in the qNIV group (551 [41·3%] of 1333) than in the IIV4 group (420 [31·8%] of 1319), and were comprised primarily of mild to moderate transient injection site pain (341 [25·6%] in the qNIV group vs 212 [16·1%] in the IIV4 group).

Interpretation

qNIV was well tolerated and produced qualitatively and quantitatively enhanced humoral and cellular immune response in older adults compared with IIV4. qNIV might enhance the effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccination, and future studies to show clinical efficacy are planned.