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Group B Streptococcal InfectionPhase 2NCT04596878

Study of a Group B Streptococcus Vaccine in Pregnant Women Living With HIV and in Pregnant Women Who do Not Have HIV

A Phase 2 study testing GBS-NN/NN2 in people with Group B Streptococcal Infection, run by Minervax ApS at 3 sites in 2 countries.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of the GBS-NN/NN2 (Recombinant protein vaccine against Group B Streptococcus) vaccine in women living with HIV and women without HIV, and their newborn babies from vaccination up to delivery/birth. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 40 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Group B Streptococcal Infection
What is being tested?
GBS-NN/NN2
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
200 participants
Where
3 sitesin 2 countries
Study dates
19 Nov 2020to 11 May 2023
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 40 years
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Participants at least 18 years old and not older than 40 years of age.
  • Pregnant women who are between 26 weeks and 30 weeks (inclusive) gestation on the planned day of vaccination with a singleton, uncomplicated pregnancy. Gestational age to be determined on the following hierarchal basis with guidance to the GAIA (Global Alignment of Immunisation Safety Assessment in pregnancy) criteria:
  • ultrasound estimate of gestational age,
  • date of last menstrual period
  • fundal height
  • HIV status to be based on rapid, confirmatory test, unless a documented test of the participant being sero-positive for HIV and history documented in the notes.
  • Women living with HIV, HIV viral load <1000, on antiretroviral therapy for at least 3 months prior to screening and clinically well.
  • Expected to be available for the scheduled clinic visits for the duration of the study, agree to be contacted by telephone during study participation, and is willing to give parental consent for her infant to participate in the study

Who cannot join

  • Women who are hepatitis B surface (HBSAg) and/or hepatitis C (HCV) positive
  • Women who test positive for syphilis as per standard testing
  • Women knowingly carrying, at screening, a malformed or genetically abnormal foetus based on ultrasound
  • Women who have experienced a previous stillbirth prior to going into labour
  • Women with placenta previa
  • Women with documented chronic or pregnancy induced hypertension at screening
Show all 23Show fewer
  • Women with 1+ protein in urine and hypertension defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg) at ≥20 weeks of gestation in a woman with a previously normal blood pressure
  • Women with >1+ of protein in urine (regardless of blood pressure)
  • Women with gestational, type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
  • Women with glycosuria on dipstick
  • Women known to be allergic to any components of the vaccine, known to be allergic to aluminium or having had an allergic reaction to any previous vaccination.
  • Women with history or presence of significant cardiovascular disease, pulmonary, hepatic, gallbladder or biliary tract, renal, haematological, gastrointestinal, endocrine, immunologic, dermatological, neurological, psychiatric, autoimmune disease, cognitive disorder or current infection and significant illness 4 weeks prior to randomization.
  • Women with current or history of drug or alcohol abuse within the last two years.
  • Women who have received a vaccine within 28 days of receiving the first dose of GBS NN/NN2 or placebo or who expect to require vaccination during the course of the study. (Vaccines recommended for administration during pregnancy e.g. tetanus toxoid, pertussis and influenza are permitted. Administration of concurrent vaccines must not be within 7 days of investigational vaccine.)
  • Women who have a fever (axillary temperature >37.9°C) on the day of dosing or have had an acute infection in the 7 days before dosing.
  • Women who have any bleeding disorders that prolong the bleeding time.
  • Women who are receiving immunosuppressive medication, including systemic steroids (inhaled and topical steroids are acceptable).
  • Women who have received blood or blood products and/or plasma derivatives or any immunoglobulin preparations in 12 weeks preceding screening.
  • Women with severe anaemia, haemoglobin < 9g/dL (90 g/L) as per Sheffield grading system ( > Grade 1)
  • Women who are currently breast feeding
  • Women who are part of the study personnel or a close family member of study personnel.
  • Women who in the opinion of the investigator are not suitable to participate in the study.
  • Concurrent participation in another clinical trial during which subject will be exposed to an investigational product.

Trial locations and contacts

3 sites in 2 countries.

3 sites in 2 countries

South Africa2 sites
  • Empilweni Services and Research Unit (ESRU), Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital

    Johannesburg

  • University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research unit)

    Johannesburg

Other trials in South Africa

Uganda1 site
  • MUJHU Research Collaboration/MUJHU Care Ltd, Kawempe National Referral Hospital

    Kawempe

Other trials in Uganda

About this study

Official title: A Multi-centre Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Immunogenicity of Two Doses of a Group B Streptococcus Vaccine (GBS-NN/NN2) in Women Who Are Pregnant and Living With HIV and Women Who Are Pregnant and do Not Have HIV

A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of the GBS-NN/NN2 (Recombinant protein vaccine against Group B Streptococcus) vaccine in women living with HIV and women without HIV, and their newborn babies from vaccination up to delivery/birth. Mothers and babies will be followed up for 12 months post-delivery.

Read the detailed description

100 women who are pregnant and living with HIV will randomly receive two 0.5 mL (millilitre) intramuscular injections of GBS-NN/NN2 vaccine (80 women) or placebo (20 women).

100 women who are pregnant and do not have HIV will randomly receive two 0.5 mL intramuscular injections of GBS-NN/NN2 vaccine (80 women) or placebo (20 women).

Participants will be screened at 24 to 28 weeks gestation (Days -14 to Day -1) and the groups will be dosed in parallel. The first dose of vaccine or placebo will be administered at Day 0 and the second dose will be administered 28±2 days later. Delivery is anticipated to be approximately 10 to 14 weeks after the first dose of vaccine.

For the analysis of the immune response, the placebo groups will be combined. For safety, the placebo groups will be analysed separately and will be combined for comparison with the potential vaccine groups.

Being tested
GBS-NN/NN2, Placebo
Medical subject headings
Streptococcal Infections

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • GBS-NN/NN2Biological

    GBS-NN/NN2 bound to Alhydrogel as an adjuvant.

  • PlaceboBiological

    Normal Saline 0.9%

Study groups in NCT04596878
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
GBS-NN/NN2 in pregnant women living with HIVExperimental2 doses of 0.5mL intramuscular injection GBS-NN/NN2 containing 50 µg GBS-NN and 50 µg NN2 administered 28 days apart in pregnant women living with HIV
Receives: Biological: GBS-NN/NN2
Placebo Comparator in pregnant women living with HIVPlacebo comparator2 doses of 0.5mL intramuscular injection 0.9% normal saline administered 28 days apart in pregnant women living with HIV
Receives: Biological: Placebo
GBS-NN/NN2 in pregnant women who do not have HIVExperimental2 doses of 0.5mL intramuscular injection GBS-NN/NN2 containing 50 µg GBS-NN and 50 µg NN2 administered 28 days apart in pregnant women who do not have HIV
Receives: Biological: GBS-NN/NN2
Placebo Comparator in pregnant women who do not have HIVPlacebo comparator2 doses of 0.5mL intramuscular injection 0.9% normal saline administered 28 days apart in pregnant women who do not have HIV
Receives: Biological: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Incidence of Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) in Maternal Participants

    Incidence of all TEAEs in maternal participants from first vaccination up to 28 days post-delivery.

    Measured: From first vaccination (26 to 30 weeks of gestation) up to 28 days post-delivery, up to 24 weeks

  2. Incidence of Adverse Events (AEs) in Newborn Babies

    Incidence of AEs in Newborn babies From birth to first visit after birth (visit 6).

    Measured: From birth to first visit after birth (28±4 days post-delivery)

  3. Number of Maternal Participants With Solicited Local AEs Within 7 Days After Each Study Vaccine Dose

    Number of maternal participants with solicited local AEs within 7 Days after each study vaccine dose, defined as: injection site redness, bruising, swelling, itching, pain and tenderness. Injection-site redness was graded based on measurements in centimeter (cm) as grade 0 (no visible redness), grade 1 (mild; 0-2 cm), grade 2 (moderate; 2.1-5 cm) or grade 3 (severe; > 5 cm). Swelling was graded as grade 0 (no swelling detected), grade 1 (palpable "firmness" only), grade 2 (0-4 cm) or grade 3 (> 4 cm). Pain at the injection site was rated on a visual analogue scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is no pain and 10 is extreme pain/worst possible pain. Bruising, itching and tenderness were categorised as either yes (present) or no (absent).

    Measured: For 7 days after each study vaccine dose (first vaccine administered at baseline, second vaccine administered 28 days post baseline)

  4. Number of Maternal Participants With Solicited Systemic AEs Within 7 Days After Each Study Vaccine Dose

    Number of maternal participants with solicited systemic AEs within 7 days after each study vaccine dose, defined as: headache, sore throat, "flu-like" symptoms, muscle aches, fever in the 72 hours post dose.

    Measured: For 7 days after each study vaccine dose (first vaccine administered at baseline, second vaccine administered 28 days post baseline)

  5. Gestational Age of Newborn Baby

    Gestational age of newborn baby

    Measured: At birth

  6. Weight of Newborn Baby

    Weight of newborn baby

    Measured: At birth

  7. Length of Newborn Baby

    Length of newborn baby

    Measured: At birth

  8. Head Circumference of Newborn Baby

    Head circumference of newborn baby

    Measured: At birth

  9. Apgar Score for Newborn Baby

    APGAR (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration) score of newborn baby were measured at 1, 5 and 10 minutes. The APGAR score is a rapid clinical assessment tool used immediately after birth to evaluate a newborn's physical condition. It evaluates five criteria : Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (Reflex irritability), Activity (muscle tone), Respiration (breathing effort), each category is scored 0, 1, or 2, where 2 indicates optimal function. Total score ranges from 0 to 10:

    7-10: Normal / Reassuring - baby adapting well 4-6: Moderately abnormal - may need assisted breathing or additional monitoring 0-3: Low - requires immediate resuscitation and urgent intervention

    Measured: At birth

  10. Transfer Rate (Baby/Mother) of IgG Antibody Concentrations

    For each of the specific IgG antibody concentrations, the transfer rate is defined as concentration in baby at birth/concentration in mother at delivery, expressed as a percentage.

    Measured: At delivery

Secondary outcomes (11)
  1. Incidence of Significant Adverse Reactions in Mothers

    Incidence of significant adverse reactions in maternal participants

    Measured: From delivery to 6 months post-delivery

  2. Developmental Milestones of Babies

    Developmental milestones at 6 months were assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3), a validated developmental screening tool designed to evaluate early childhood development across 5 key domains: communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal-social. Each domain includes 6 items scored as Yes (10), Sometimes (5), or Not yet (0). Domain scores are calculated by summing item scores (range: 0-60 per domain); higher scores indicate better development. A total score (sum of all domains) may be calculated (range: 0-300), though interpretation relies primarily on domain scores. For each domain, the cut-offs are 29.65 for Communication, 22.25 for Gross Motor, 25.14 for Fine Motor, 27.72 for Problem Solving, and 25.34 for Personal-Social. Scores above these thresholds generally indicate development on schedule, while scores near the cutoff suggest monitoring, and scores below warrant additional assessment or referral.

    Measured: At 6 months

  3. Geometric Mean Antibody Concentration in Maternal Participants (4 Weeks)

    Geometric mean IgG antibody concentration in the maternal participants specific to Alpha Like Protein 1 (Alp1), Alpha Like Protein 2 (Alp2), Alpha Like Protein C (AlpC) and Rib protein (Rib).

    Measured: At 4 weeks post first injection and at 4 weeks post second injection

  4. Geometric Mean Antibody Concentration in Maternal Blood at 6 Months Post-delivery

    Geometric mean antibody concentration specific to Alp1, Alp2, AlpC and Rib in maternal blood at 6 months post-delivery

    Measured: 6 months post-delivery

  5. Geometric Mean Antibody Concentration in Infant Blood at 1, 2, and 3 Months Post-delivery

    Geometric mean antibody concentration specific to Alp1, Alp2, AlpC and Rib in infant blood at 1, 2, and 3 months post-delivery

    Measured: At 1, 2, and 3 months post-delivery

  6. Geometric Mean Antibody Concentration in Newborns

    Geometric mean antibody concentration specific to Alp1, Alp2, AlpC and Rib in newborn blood within 48 hours of birth.

    Measured: Within 48 hours of birth.

  7. Geometric Mean Antibody Concentration From Maternal Blood at Delivery

    Geometric mean antibody concentration specific to Alp1, Alp2, AlpC and Rib from maternal blood at delivery

    Measured: At delivery

  8. Geometric Mean Fold Increase in Antibody Concentration in Maternal Blood

    Geometric mean fold increase in IgG specific antibody concentration (Alp1, Alp2, AlpC and Rib) in maternal blood from baseline to 4 weeks after vaccination with the first and second dose.

    Measured: At 4 weeks post first injection and at 4 weeks post second injection

  9. Geometric Mean Fold Increase in Antibody Concentration in Maternal Blood

    Geometric mean fold increase in IgG specific antibody concentration (Alp1, Alp2, AlpC and Rib) in maternal blood from baseline to delivery.

    Measured: Baseline (Gestational Age 26 to 30 weeks) pre-vaccination to delivery, up to 24 weeks

  10. Proportion of Mothers Achieving Vaccine Specific IgG Antibody Concentrations

    Proportion of mothers achieving vaccine specific IgG antibody concentrations in maternal samples respectively, above pre-defined arbitrary thresholds (0.5, 1, 2 μg/mL).

    Measured: At delivery

  11. Proportion of Newborn Babies Achieving Vaccine Specific IgG Antibody Concentrations

    Proportion of newborn babies achieving vaccine specific IgG antibody concentrations above pre-defined arbitrary thresholds (0.5, 1, 2 μg/mL).

    Measured: At birth

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted22 Oct 2020
  2. Study start19 Nov 2020
  3. Primary completion18 May 2022
  4. Study completion11 May 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Randomised, placebo controlled, double-blind, parallel group, multicentre study.
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
200 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04596878
Sponsor's protocol ID
MVX0005
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
14 Oct 2020
Last updated
14 Jul 2026
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Galiza EP, Khalil A, Heath PT. Update on Vaccines in Antenatal Care. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2024 Feb 1;43(2):e60-e62. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004183. Epub 2023 Dec 27. No abstract available.

    PubMed 38190492

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing GBS-NN/NN2 in people with Group B Streptococcal Infection, run by Minervax ApS at 3 sites in 2 countries.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 23 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 3 sites in South Africa, Uganda. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 14 Jul 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Incidence of Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) in Maternal Participants (time frame: From first vaccination (26 to 30 weeks of gestation) up to 28 days post-delivery, up to 24 weeks). The study lists 10 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04596878, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Jul 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.

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