This Phase 1 study evaluates the safety and immunogenicity of a higher dose formulation of a new live attenuated vaccine, BPZE1, intended to prevent Bordetella pertussis nasopharyngeal colonization and pertussis disease, and investigates whether higher doses of BPZE1 induce the live vaccine to colonize subjects' nasopharynx.

The study is a Phase Ib (high dose), single-center, dose-escalating, placebo-controlled study of the live attenuated B. pertussis strain BPZE1 given as a single intranasal dose to healthy adult volunteers.

Results

November 20, 2020, Lancet Infectious Diseases published the results of this clinical trial. The tested doses of BPZE1 or placebo were well tolerated, with no apparent difference in solicited or unsolicited adverse events following immunization between groups. Colonization at least once after vaccination was observed in 29 (81%; 68-93) of 36 vaccinated participants. The tested vaccine doses were immunogenic, with increases in serum IgG and IgA titers against the four B pertussis antigens from baseline to 12 months.

Conclusion

The tested vaccine was safe, induced a high colonization rate in an adult population, and was immunogenic at all doses. These findings justify further clinical development of BPZE1 to ultimately be used as a priming vaccine for neonates or a booster vaccine for adolescents and adults, or both.