Phase I assessments of first-in-human administration of a novel malaria anti-sporozoite vaccine candidate, R21 in matrix-M adjuvant, in UK and Burkinabe volunteers

BackgroundImprovements in malaria control have stalled recently and new tools are needed. The R21 vaccine is comprised of the malaria circumsporozoite protein fused to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). It forms particles that lack the excess HBsAg in the frequently tested malaria vaccine candidate, RTS,S/AS01B. MethodsWe conducted an open-label, first-in-human, Phase Ia study evaluating safety and immunogenicity of R21 administered alone and with the saponin-based adjuvant, Matrix-M (MM). Twenty-eight healthy adults received three doses of R21 given intramuscularly 4 weeks apart. We subsequently conducted a Phase Ib randomised, controlled trial in West African adults. FindingsVaccinations were well tolerated, and the majority of local and systemic adverse events were mild. Reactogenicity was significantly lower in Burkinabe than UK vaccinees (p<0.0001). Antibody responses increased significantly 28 days after the 2nd vaccination in UK volunteers. Antibody responses to R21 in all dose groups (2g, 10g and 50g) were comparable to those of 50g RTS,S/AS01B in malaria-naive adults at 28 days after final vaccination. The 10g dose induced more durable responses, with 2-fold higher NANP-specific IgG titres at 6 months compared with the 2g and 50g dose groups. R21 also boosted baseline humoral responses in Burkinabe adults with well-maintained responses suggesting natural boosting. InterpretationR21 adjuvanted with MM is safe and has comparable immunogenicity to RTS,S/AS01B, even when administered at a five-fold lower 10g dose in UK and African populations. This forms the basis for efficacy testing of this vaccine which could prove to be particularly cost-effective to manufacture and deploy.