Covid19NCT04865237
SARS-CoV-2 Human Challenge Characterisation Study
A study testing SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^1 TCID50, Remdesivir and SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^2 TCID50 in people with Covid19 and SARS-CoV Infection, run by Imperial College London at 2 sites in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
This is a dose optimisation study in healthy adults aged 18-30 who will be experimentally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2. The aim is to cause PCR-confirmed upper respiratory infection in the majority of challenged individuals with minimal or no illness, providing data on the course of COVID-19 and the immune response to… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Covid19, SARS-CoV Infection, Corona Virus Infection
- What is being tested?
- SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^1 TCID50, Remdesivir and SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^2 TCID50
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- 6 Mar 2021to 11 Jul 2022
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- An informed consent document signed and dated by the participant and the Investigator.
- Male or female, age between 18 and 30 years inclusive (at the time of consent)
- Seronegative to the challenge virus SARS-CoV-2, no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and no previous participation in a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trial.
- Female participants with a documented menstrual period within 28 days before the inoculation (unless using a contraceptive method that suppressed menstruation as indicated in the study protocol) and willing and able to use contraception as described in the study protocol from 2 weeks before the scheduled date of viral challenge until 90 days after receipt of the final dose of rescue medication. Negative urine pregnancy tests will be required at screening and on day 0 prior to inoculation. On admission to the quarantine unit a Negative serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) is required.
- Contraceptive requirements:
- Established use of hormonal methods of contraception described below (for 2 weeks prior to the first study visit). When hormonal methods of contraception are used, male partners are required to use a condom with a spermicide:
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- combined (oestrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation: i. oral ii. intravaginal iii. transdermal
- . progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation: i. oral ii. injectable iii. implantable
- Intrauterine device (IUD)
- . Intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS)
- . Bilateral tubal ligation
- . Male sterilisation (with the appropriate post vasectomy documentation of the absence of sperm in the ejaculate) where the vasectomised male is the sole partner for that woman.
- . True abstinence - sexual abstinence is considered a highly effective method only if defined as refraining from heterosexual intercourse during the entire period of risk associated with the study treatments. The reliability of sexual abstinence needs to be evaluated in relation to the duration of the clinical trial and the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject.
- 5 Men who are willing to use one of the contraception methods described in the study protocol, from the time of the date of viral challenge, until 90 days after receipt of the final dose of study medication.
- Contraceptive requirements:
- Use a condom with a spermicide to prevent pregnancy in a female partner or to prevent exposure of any partner (male and female) to the study virus or Remdesivir.
- Male sterilisation with the appropriate post vasectomy documentation of the absence of sperm in the ejaculate (please note that the use of condom with spermicide will still be required to prevent partner exposure). This applies only to males participating in the study.
- In addition, for female partners of child bearing potential, that partner must use another form of contraception such as one of the highly effective methods mentioned above for female subjects.
- True abstinence - sexual abstinence is considered a highly effective method only if defined as refraining from heterosexual intercourse during the entire period of risk associated with the study treatments. The reliability of sexual abstinence needs to be evaluated in relation to the duration of the clinical trial and the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject.
- In addition to the contraceptive requirements above, male subjects must agree not to donate sperm following discharge from quarantine until 90 days after the date of study virus or Remdesivir. (whichever occurs last).
- 6 In good health with no history of clinically significant medical conditions (as described in Exclusion criteria) that would interfere with subject safety, as defined by medical history, physical examination and routine laboratory tests, ECG, and Chest X-Ray and determined by the Investigator at an admission evaluation.
- 7 Subjects will have a documented medical history either prior to entering the study and/or following medical history review with the study physician at screening 8 Using the QCOVID tool, an absolute risk of COVID-associated death of 1 in 250,000 (0.0004%) or less and COVID-associated hospital admission of 1 in 5000 (0.02%) or less, unless deemed unnecessary by the CI and PI with advice from the DSMB following a formal interim assessment (see below) 9 Willing and able to commit to participation in the study
Who cannot join
- Any potential subject who meet any of the criteria below will be excluded from participating in this study.
- Clinical history
- History or evidence of any clinically significant or currently active cardiovascular, (including thromboembolic events), respiratory, dermatological, gastrointestinal, endocrine, haematological, hepatic, immunological, rheumatological, metabolic, urological, renal, neurological, psychiatric illness. Specifically:
- Subjects with any history of physician diagnosed and/or objective test confirmed asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary hypertension, reactive airway disease, or chronic lung condition of any aetiology or who have experienced:
- Significant/severe wheeze in the past
- Respiratory symptoms including wheeze which has ever resulted in hospitalisation
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- Known bronchial hyperreactivity to viruses
- History of thromboembolic, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease
- History or evidence of diabetes mellitus
- Any concurrent serious illness including history of malignancy that could interfere with the aims of the study or a subject completing the study. Basal cell carcinoma within 5 years of treatment or with evidence of recurrence is also an exclusion
- Migraine with associated neurological symptoms such as hemiplegia or vision loss. Cluster headache/migraine or prophylactic treatment for migraine
- History or evidence of autoimmune disease or known immunodeficiency of any cause.
- Other major disease that, in the opinion of the Investigator, could interfere with a subject completing the study and necessary investigations.
- Immunosuppression of any type
- Any significant abnormality altering the anatomy or function of the nose or nasopharynx in a substantial way (including loss of or alterations in smell or taste), a clinically significant history of epistaxis (large nosebleeds) within the last 3 months, nasal or sinus surgery within 6 months of inoculation.
- Clinically active rhinitis (including hay fever) or history of moderate to severe rhinitis, or history of seasonal allergic rhinitis likely to be active at the time of inclusion into the study and/or requiring regular nasal corticosteroids on an at least weekly basis, within 30 days of admission to quarantine.
- History of anaphylaxis and/or a history of severe allergic reaction or significant intolerance to any food or drug, as assessed by the PI.
- History or presence of alcohol addiction, or excessive use of alcohol (average weekly intake in excess of 28 units alcohol; one unit being a half glass of beer, a small glass of wine or a measure of spirits), or use of drugs of abuse
- Psychiatric illness including subjects with a history of depression and/or anxiety with associated severe psychiatric comorbidities, for example psychosis. Specifically,
- Subjects with history of anxiety-related symptoms of any severity within the last 2 years if the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 score is ≥4
- Subjects with a history of depression of any severity within the last 2 years if the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score is ≥4
- Subjects who have smoked ≥5 pack years at any time [5 pack years is equivalent to one pack of 20 cigarettes a day for 5 years]).
- Subjects who have smoked <5 pack years - at any time in the 3 months prior to admission to the quarantine unit they have used tobacco in any form (e.g., smoking or chewing) or other nicotine-containing products in any form (e.g., gum, patch) or electronic cigarettes.
- Family history of 1st degree relative aged 50 years or less with sudden cardiac or unexplained death
- Family History of Severe COVID or response to any other viral disease e.g. Guillain-Barré Measurements and investigations
- A total body weight of ≤ 50kg and a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≤18 kg/m2 and ≥28 kg/m2. The upper limit of BMI may be increased to ≤ 30kg/m2 at the PI's discretion, in the case of physically fit muscular individual
- Venous access deemed inadequate for the phlebotomy and cannulation demands of the study.
- Any clinically significant abnormal finding on screening biochemistry, haematology and microbiology blood tests or urinalysis i.e. grade 1 lab abnormalities (or above, see Appendix 3 Toxicity Grading Scale for Laboratory AEs) apart from minor deviations which are clinically acceptable and approved by the Principal Investigator
- Elevated random glucose and HbA1C
- Positive HIV, active/chronic hepatitis A, B or C test.
- Confirmed positive test for drugs of abuse on admission and urinary cotinine at quarantine.
- A forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and a forced vital capacity (FVC) <80% of predicted value calculated using ATS/ERS guidance (refer to section 5, respiratory samples)
- Twelve-lead ECG recording with clinically relevant abnormalities as judged by the study physician/PI.
- Echocardiogram outside normal parameters at baseline Recent respiratory infection
- History of, or currently active symptoms suggestive of upper or lower respiratory tract infection (including reduced sense of taste and smell, raised body temperature and/or persistent cough) within 6 weeks prior to viral challenge.
- Presence of cold-like symptoms and/or fever (defined as subject presenting with a temperature reading of >37.9ºC) on Day -2, Day -1 and/or pre-challenge on Day 0.
- Evidence of any respiratory viruses (on nasopharyngeal swab analysis) prior to challenge virus inoculation on admission to the quarantine unit. These include:
- VIRUSES:
- Adenovirus
- Coronavirus HKU1
- Coronavirus NL63
- Coronavirus 229E
- Coronavirus OC43
- Human Metapneumovirus
- Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus
- Influenza A
- Influenza A/H1
- Influenza A/H3
- Influenza A/H1-2009
- Influenza B
- Parainfluenza Virus 1
- Parainfluenza Virus 2
- Parainfluenza Virus 3
- Parainfluenza Virus 4
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus
- BACTERIA:
- Bordetella parapertussis
- Bordetella pertussis
- Chlamydia pneumoniae
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae Receipt of medications and interventions
- Evidence of a live vaccine within 60 days prior to the planned date of viral challenge, a non-live vaccine within 30 days prior to the planned date of viral challenge, or intention to receive any vaccination(s) before the day 28 follow-up visit. (NB. No travel restrictions applied after the Day 28 Follow-up visit).
- Receipt of blood or blood products, or loss (including blood donations) of 550 mL or more of blood during the 3 months prior to the planned date of viral challenge or planned during the 3 months after the final visit.
- Medications
- Use of any medication or product (prescription or over-the-counter), for symptoms of hayfever, nasal congestion or respiratory tract infections or dermatitis/eczema including the use of regular nasal or medium-high potency dermal corticosteroids, antibiotics and First Defence™ (or generic equivalents) within 7 days prior to the planned date of viral challenge apart from those described and allowed in Permitted Medication or agreed by the Principle Investigator
- Receipt of any investigational drug within 3 months prior to the planned date of viral challenge.
- Receipt of three or more investigational drugs within the previous 12 months prior to the planned date of viral challenge.
- Prior inoculation with a virus from the same virus-family as the challenge virus.
- Receipt of systemic (intravenous and/or oral) glucocorticoids or systemic antiviral drugs within 6 months prior to the planned date of viral challenge.
- Over the counter medications (e.g., paracetamol or ibuprofen) where the dose taken over the preceding 7 days prior to the planned date of viral challenge had exceeded the maximum permissible 24-hour dose (e.g., >4g per day of paracetamol over the preceding week).
- Use or anticipated use within 7 days prior to the planned date of viral challenge and during the conduct of the study of concomitant medications (prescription and/or non-prescription), including vitamins or herbal and dietary supplements within the specified windows.
- Chronically used medications, vitamins or dietary supplements, including any medication known to be a moderate/potent inducer or inhibitor of cytochrome P450 enzymes, within 21 days prior to the planned date of viral challenge.
- Subjects who have received any systemic chemotherapy agent, immunoglobulins, or other cytotoxic or immunosuppressive drugs at any time.
- Prior participation in another human viral challenge study in the preceding 12 months taken from the date of viral challenge in the previous study to the date of expected viral challenge in this study.
- Any nasal sampling procedure in the 6 months before date of expected viral challenge in this study (excluding study tolerance test or routine tests for COVID-19) General
- Subject was mentally or legally incapacitated in the opinion of the Investigator.
- Females who:
- Are breastfeeding within 6 months of study commencement, or
- Had been pregnant within 6 months prior to the study, or
- Had a positive pregnancy test at any point during screening or prior to inoculation with challenge virus
- Those in close domestic contact (i.e. sharing a household with, caring for, or daily face to face contact) with children under 2 years, the elderly (>65 years), immunosuppressed persons, or those with chronic respiratory disease Other
- Was employed or was a first-degree relative of anyone employed by the Sponsor, a participating clinical trial site, or any Contract Research Organisation involved in the study.
- Any other reason that the Investigator considered made the subject unsuitable to participate.
- Participants with no knowledge of their family history
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
United Kingdom2 sites
hVIVO Services Ltd, QMB Bioenterprise building
London, E1 2AX
Royal Free Foundation Hospital
London
About this study
Official title: A Dose Finding Human Experimental Infection Study in Healthy Subjects Using a GMP-produced SARS-COV-2 Wild Type Strain
This is a dose optimisation study in healthy adults aged 18-30 who will be experimentally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2. The aim is to cause PCR-confirmed upper respiratory infection in the majority of challenged individuals with minimal or no illness, providing data on the course of COVID-19 and the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This will establish an optimised dose and study design that will then be used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment and vaccine candidates plus level and duration of immune protection in follow-on trials.
- Conditions
- Covid19, SARS-CoV Infection, Corona Virus Infection, Coronavirus, COVID-19
- Being tested
- SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^1 TCID50, Remdesivir, SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^2 TCID50, SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^3 TCID50
- Medical subject headings
- COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Coronavirus Infections
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^1 TCID50Biological
SARS-CoV-2, intranasally, (1x10^1 TCID50)
RemdesivirDrug
Also called VEKLURY™
VEKLURY™
SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^2 TCID50Biological
SARS-CoV-2, intranasally, (1x10^2 TCID50)
SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^3 TCID50Biological
SARS-CoV-2, intranasally, (1x10^3 TCID50)
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy Volunteers Dose Level 1 | Experimental | Dose Level 1: SARS-CoV-2, intranasally (10^1 TCID50 dose) Receives: Biological: SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^1 TCID50; Drug: Remdesivir |
| Healthy Volunteers Dose Level 2 | Experimental | Dose Level 2: SARS-CoV-2, intranasally (10^2 TCID50 dose) Receives: Drug: Remdesivir; Biological: SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^2 TCID50 |
| Healthy Volunteers Dose Level 3 | Experimental | Dose Level 3: SARS-CoV-2, intranasally (10^3 TCID50 dose) Receives: Drug: Remdesivir; Biological: SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^3 TCID50 |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Number of Unsolicited Adverse Events in Healthy Participants Challenged With Wild Type SARS-CoV-2
To evaluate the safety of wild type SARS-CoV-2 challenge in healthy participants by assessing occurrence of unsolicited AEs within 30 days post-viral challenge (Day 0) up to Day 28 follow up.
Measured: Day 0 to 28 (28 days)
Number of SAEs Related to Viral Challenge
To evaluate the safety of wild type SARS-CoV-2 challenge in healthy participants by assessing occurrence of SAEs related to the viral challenge from the viral challenge (Day 0) up to Day 28 follow up.
Measured: Day 0 to 28 (28 days)
Number of Participants With Laboratory Confirmed Infections
To identify a SARS-Cov-2 inoculum dose that safely induces laboratory confirmed infection in ≥50% of participants (ideally between 50% and 70%). Laboratory confirmed infection is defined as two quantifiable greater than lower limit of quantification (≥LLOQ) RT-PCR measurements from mid turbinate and/or throat samples, reported on 2 or more consecutive timepoints, starting from 24 hours post-inoculation and up to discharge from quarantine.
Measured: From 24 hours post-inoculation until discharged from Quarantine, up to a maximum period of 16 days
Secondary outcomes (12)
Number of Patients With Laboratory Confirmed Infections by Mid-turbinate and/or Throat Swabs
To further assess SARS-CoV-2 viral infection rates in upper respiratory samples in healthy volunteers, by inoculum dose.
To assess the incidence of laboratory confirmed infection rates using a) mid turbinate samples, b) throat swabs, and c) both mid turbinate and throat swabs, as defined by:
- Variant 2: Occurrence of at least two quantifiable (≥LLOQ) RT-PCR measurements, reported on 2 or more consecutive timepoints, starting from 24 hours post-inoculation and up to discharge from quarantine.
- Variant 3: Occurrence of at least two detectable (≥LLOD) RT-PCR measurements, reported on 2 or more consecutive timepoints, starting from 24 hours post-inoculation and up to discharge from quarantine.
- Variant 4: Occurrence of at least one quantifiable (≥LLOQ) SARS-CoV-2 viral cell culture measurement, starting from 24 hours post-inoculation and up to discharge from quarantine.
Measured: From 24 hours post-inoculation until discharged from Quarantine, up to a maximum period of 16 days
Number of Symptomatic SARS-Cov-2 Infected Participants
To assess the incidence of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, in healthy volunteers, by inoculum dose To assess the incidence of lab-confirmed symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection using a) mid turbinate samples, b) throat swabs, and c) both mid turbinate and throat swabs,
Measured: From 24 hours post-inoculation until discharged from Quarantine, up to a maximum period of 16 days
SARS-CoV-2 Viral Dynamics (VL-AUC) in Upper Respiratory Samples in Healthy Volunteers
To assess the viral dynamics using a) mid turbinate samples, and b) throat swabs as measured by the area under the viral load-time curve (VL-AUC) of SARS-CoV-2 as determined by qRT-PCR, starting from 24 hours post-inoculation and up to discharge from quarantine.
Measured: From 24 hours post-inoculation to 312 hours post-inoculation
SARS-CoV-2 Induced Symptoms in Healthy Volunteers by the Mean Sum Total Symptom Score
Sum total symptoms diary card score: sum total clinical symptoms (TSS) as measured by graded symptom scoring system, starting one day post-viral challenge (Day 1) up to discharge from quarantine. Symptoms are graded on a scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 3 (bothersome symptoms impacting involvement in activities). The sum total symptom score was based on the symptom diary cards that were filled out 3 times per day from the first (morning) assessment on Day 1 until the first (morning) assessment on Day 14 (planned day of quarantine discharge). Each assessment consisted of the grades given by the subjects to a list of 19 symptoms on the symptom diary card. Individual total symptom scores were derived for each assessment as the total of all of the grades given on the individual diary card. This could range from 0 (if all symptoms graded as 0) to 59 (if all symptoms graded as 3 and shortness of breath and wheeze were graded as 4).
Measured: From 24 hours post-inoculation until discharged from Quarantine, up to a maximum period of 16 days
Number of Participants With Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Illness in Healthy Volunteers
The incidence of:
- Upper Respiratory Tract illness (URT)
- Lower Respiratory Tract illness (LRT)
- Systemic illness (SI)
- Febrile illness (FI)
- Proportion of Subjects with Grade 3 symptoms on any occasion at any time from the last assessment on Day 0 to quarantine discharge
- Proportion of Subjects with Grade 2 or higher symptoms on any occasion at any time from the last assessment on Day 0 to quarantine discharge
- Proportion of Subjects with Grade 2 or higher Symptoms on two separate occasions at any time from the last assessment on Day 0 to quarantine discharge
- Proportion of Subjects with any symptom (grade >=1) on any occasion at any time from the last assessment on Day 0 to quarantine discharge
- Proportion of Subjects with any symptom (grade >=1) on two separate occasions at any time from the last assessment on Day 0 to quarantine discharge
Measured: Day 0 to discharge from Quarantine, up to a maximum of 17 days
SARS-CoV-2 Viral Dynamics (Peak Viral Load) in Upper Respiratory Samples in Healthy Volunteers
To assess the viral dynamics using a) mid turbinate samples, and b) throat swabs as measured by peak viral load of SARS-CoV-2 as defined by the maximum viral load determined by quantifiable (≥LLOQ) qRT-PCR measurements, starting from 24 hours post-inoculation and up to discharge from quarantine.
Measured: From 24 hours post-inoculation until discharged from Quarantine, up to a maximum period of 16 days
SARS-CoV-2 Viral Dynamics (Duration) in Upper Respiratory Samples in Healthy Volunteers
To assess the viral dynamics using a) mid turbinate samples, and b) throat swabs as measured by duration of SARS-CoV-2 quantifiable (≥LLOQ) qRT-PCR measurements, starting from 24 hours post-inoculation and up to discharge from quarantine. Duration is defined as the time (hours) from the first quantifiable of the two viral quantifiable positives used to assess infection until first confirmed undetectable assessment after their peak measure (after which no further virus is detected).
Measured: From 24 hours post-inoculation until discharged from Quarantine, up to a maximum period of 16 days
SARS-CoV-2 Viral Dynamics (Incubation Period) in Upper Respiratory Samples in Healthy Volunteers
To assess the viral dynamics using a) mid turbinate samples, and b) throat swabs as measured incubation period of SARS-CoV-2 qRT-PCR measurements. Incubation period is defined as the time (hours) from inoculation to the first quantifiable of the two viral quantifiable positives used to assess infection, starting from 24 hours post-inoculation and up to discharge from quarantine.
Measured: From 24 hours post-inoculation until discharged from Quarantine, up to a maximum period of 16 days
SARS-CoV-2 Induced Symptoms in Healthy Volunteers According to Area Under the Curve Over Time (TSS-AUC) of Total Clinical Symptoms (TSS).
Area under the curve over time (TSS-AUC) of total clinical symptoms (TSS) as measured by graded symptom scoring system (categorical and visual analogue scales), starting one day post-viral challenge (Day 1) up to discharge from quarantine. Symptoms are graded on a scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 3 (bothersome symptoms impacting involvement in activities). The sum total symptom score was based on the symptom diary cards that were filled out 3 times per day from the first (morning) assessment on Day 1 until the first (morning) assessment on Day 14 (planned day of quarantine discharge). Each assessment consisted of the grades given by the subjects to a list of 19 symptoms on the symptom diary card. Individual total symptom scores were derived for each assessment as the total of all of the grades given on the individual diary card. This could range from 0 (if all symptoms graded as 0) to 59 (if all symptoms graded as 3 and shortness of breath and wheeze were graded as 4).
Measured: From 24 hours post-inoculation to 312 hours post-inoculation
SARS-CoV-2 Induced Symptoms in Healthy Volunteers According to Peak Symptom Diary Card Scores
Peak symptoms diary card score: peak total clinical symptoms (TSS) as measured by graded symptom scoring system (categorical and visual analogue scales, starting one day post-viral challenge (Day 1) up to discharge from quarantine. Symptoms are graded on a scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 3 (bothersome symptoms impacting involvement in activities). The sum total symptom score was based on the symptom diary cards that were filled out 3 times per day from the first (morning) assessment on Day 1 until the first (morning) assessment on Day 14 (planned day of quarantine discharge). Each assessment consisted of the grades given by the subjects to a list of 19 symptoms on the symptom diary card. Individual total symptom scores were derived for each assessment as the total of all of the grades given on the individual diary card. This could range from 0 (if all symptoms graded as 0) to 59 (if all symptoms graded as 3 and shortness of breath and wheeze were graded as 4).
Measured: From 24 hours post-inoculation until 312 hours post-inoculation
SARS-CoV-2 Induced Symptoms in Healthy Volunteers According to Peak Daily Symptom Score.
Peak daily symptom score: Individual maximum daily sum of Symptom score starting one day post-viral challenge (Day 1) up to the end of quarantine. Symptoms are graded on a scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 3 (bothersome symptoms impacting involvement in activities). The sum total symptom score was based on the symptom diary cards that were filled out 3 times per day from the first (morning) assessment on Day 1 until the first (morning) assessment on Day 14 (planned day of quarantine discharge). Each assessment consisted of the grades given by the subjects to a list of 19 symptoms on the symptom diary card.
Individual total symptom scores were derived for each assessment as the total of all of the grades given on the individual diary card. This could range from 0 (if all symptoms graded as 0) to 59 (if all symptoms graded as 3 and shortness of breath and wheeze were graded as 4).
Measured: From 24 hours post-inoculation until 312 hours post-inoculation
Number (%) of Participants With Grade 2 or Higher SARS-CoV-2 Induced Symptoms
Number (%) of participants with Grade 2 or higher symptoms. Symptoms are graded on a scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 3 (bothersome symptoms impacting involvement in activities). The sum total symptom score was based on the symptom diary cards that were filled out 3 times per day from the first (morning) assessment on Day 1 until the first (morning) assessment on Day 14 (planned day of quarantine discharge). Each assessment consisted of the grades given by the subjects to a list of 19 symptoms on the symptom diary card. Individual total symptom scores were derived for each assessment as the total of all of the grades given on the individual diary card. This could range from 0 (if all symptoms graded as 0) to 59 (if all symptoms graded as 3 and shortness of breath and wheeze were graded as 4).
Measured: From 24 hours post-inoculation until 312 hours post-inoculation
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Apr 2021
- Study start6 Mar 2021
- Primary completion11 Jul 2022
- Study completion11 Jul 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Covid19Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Imperial College LondonThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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 N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Sequential
- Model description
- Dose Escalation
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Imperial College London
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Hvivo, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Christopher Chiu, Principal investigator, Imperial College London
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04865237
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 20IC6437
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 1 Apr 2021
- Last updated
- 16 May 2025
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Zhou J, Singanayagam A, Goonawardane N, Moshe M, Sweeney FP, Sukhova K, Killingley B, Kalinova M, Mann AJ, Catchpole AP, Barer MR, Ferguson NM, Chiu C, Barclay WS. Viral emissions into the air and environment after SARS-CoV-2 human challenge: a phase 1, open label, first-in-human study. Lancet Microbe. 2023 Aug;4(8):e579-e590. doi: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00101-5. Epub 2023 Jun 9.
PubMed 37307844Wagstaffe HR, Thwaites RS, Sidhu JK, Lindeboom RGH, Kretschmer L, Worlock KB, Dratva LM, Huang A, Ascough S, Papargyris L, McKendry R, Collins AM, Xu J, Lemm NM, Killingley B, Kalinova M, Mann A, Catchpole A, Swadling L, Tsang JS, Maini MK, Noursadeghi M, Nikolic MZ, Teichmann SA, Openshaw PJM, Chiu C. Pre-existing and early cellular immune factors correlate with functionally complete protection against primary controlled human SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nat Commun. 2025 Dec 7;17(1):312. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-67017-8.
PubMed 41354730Trender W, Hellyer PJ, Killingley B, Kalinova M, Mann AJ, Catchpole AP, Menon D, Needham E, Thwaites R, Chiu C, Scott G, Hampshire A. Changes in memory and cognition during the SARS-CoV-2 human challenge study. EClinicalMedicine. 2024 Sep 21;76:102842. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102842. eCollection 2024 Oct.
PubMed 39364271Lindeboom RGH, Worlock KB, Dratva LM, Yoshida M, Scobie D, Wagstaffe HR, Richardson L, Wilbrey-Clark A, Barnes JL, Kretschmer L, Polanski K, Allen-Hyttinen J, Mehta P, Sumanaweera D, Boccacino JM, Sungnak W, Elmentaite R, Huang N, Mamanova L, Kapuge R, Bolt L, Prigmore E, Killingley B, Kalinova M, Mayer M, Boyers A, Mann A, Swadling L, Woodall MNJ, Ellis S, Smith CM, Teixeira VH, Janes SM, Chambers RC, Haniffa M, Catchpole A, Heyderman R, Noursadeghi M, Chain B, Mayer A, Meyer KB, Chiu C, Nikolic MZ, Teichmann SA. Human SARS-CoV-2 challenge uncovers local and systemic response dynamics. Nature. 2024 Jul;631(8019):189-198. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07575-x. Epub 2024 Jun 19.
PubMed 38898278Killingley B, Mann AJ, Kalinova M, Boyers A, Goonawardane N, Zhou J, Lindsell K, Hare SS, Brown J, Frise R, Smith E, Hopkins C, Noulin N, Londt B, Wilkinson T, Harden S, McShane H, Baillet M, Gilbert A, Jacobs M, Charman C, Mande P, Nguyen-Van-Tam JS, Semple MG, Read RC, Ferguson NM, Openshaw PJ, Rapeport G, Barclay WS, Catchpole AP, Chiu C. Safety, tolerability and viral kinetics during SARS-CoV-2 human challenge in young adults. Nat Med. 2022 May;28(5):1031-1041. doi: 10.1038/s41591-022-01780-9. Epub 2022 Mar 31.
PubMed 35361992
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 May 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Dose Finding Human Experimental Infection Study in Healthy Subjects Using a GMP-produced SARS-COV-2 Wild Type Strain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04865237
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 20IC6437
- Conditions
- Covid19, SARS-CoV Infection, Corona Virus Infection, Coronavirus, COVID-19
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Imperial College LondonUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Hvivo, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Study start
- 6 Mar 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 11 Jul 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 11 Jul 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 29 Apr 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 16 May 2025
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is a dose optimisation study in healthy adults aged 18-30 who will be experimentally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2. The aim is to cause PCR-confirmed upper respiratory infection in the majority of challenged individuals with minimal or no illness, providing data on the course of COVID-19 and the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This will establish an optimised dose and study design that will then be used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment and vaccine candidates plus level and duration of immune protection in follow-on trials.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Sequential
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Dose Escalation
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy Volunteers Dose Level 1 | Experimental | Biological: SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^1 TCID50, Drug: RemdesivirDose Level 1: SARS-CoV-2, intranasally (10^1 TCID50 dose) |
| Healthy Volunteers Dose Level 2 | Experimental | Drug: Remdesivir, Biological: SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^2 TCID50Dose Level 2: SARS-CoV-2, intranasally (10^2 TCID50 dose) |
| Healthy Volunteers Dose Level 3 | Experimental | Drug: Remdesivir, Biological: SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^3 TCID50Dose Level 3: SARS-CoV-2, intranasally (10^3 TCID50 dose) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (22 listed)
- An informed consent document signed and dated by the participant and the Investigator.
- Male or female, age between 18 and 30 years inclusive (at the time of consent)
- Seronegative to the challenge virus SARS-CoV-2, no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and no previous participation in a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trial.
- Female participants with a documented menstrual period within 28 days before the inoculation (unless using a contraceptive method that suppressed menstruation as indicated in the study protocol) and willing and able to use contraception as described in the study protocol from 2 weeks before the scheduled date of viral challenge until 90 days after receipt of the final dose of rescue medication. Negative urine pregnancy tests will be required at screening and on day 0 prior to inoculation. On admission to the quarantine unit a Negative serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) is required.
- Established use of hormonal methods of contraception described below (for 2 weeks prior to the first study visit). When hormonal methods of contraception are used, male partners are required to use a condom with a spermicide:
Key exclusion criteria (83 listed)
- Any potential subject who meet any of the criteria below will be excluded from participating in this study.
- Clinical history
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^1 TCID50SARS-CoV-2, intranasally, (1x10^1 TCID50) | Biological | Healthy Volunteers Dose Level 1 |
| RemdesivirAlso: VEKLURY™VEKLURY™ | Drug | Healthy Volunteers Dose Level 1, Healthy Volunteers Dose Level 2, Healthy Volunteers Dose Level 3 |
| SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^2 TCID50SARS-CoV-2, intranasally, (1x10^2 TCID50) | Biological | Healthy Volunteers Dose Level 2 |
| SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^3 TCID50SARS-CoV-2, intranasally, (1x10^3 TCID50) | Biological | Healthy Volunteers Dose Level 3 |
Primary outcome
Number of Unsolicited Adverse Events in Healthy Participants Challenged With Wild Type SARS-CoV-2
Time frame: Day 0 to 28 (28 days)
To evaluate the safety of wild type SARS-CoV-2 challenge in healthy participants by assessing occurrence of unsolicited AEs within 30 days post-viral challenge (Day 0) up to Day 28 follow up.
Number of SAEs Related to Viral Challenge
Time frame: Day 0 to 28 (28 days)
To evaluate the safety of wild type SARS-CoV-2 challenge in healthy participants by assessing occurrence of SAEs related to the viral challenge from the viral challenge (Day 0) up to Day 28 follow up.
Number of Participants With Laboratory Confirmed Infections
Time frame: From 24 hours post-inoculation until discharged from Quarantine, up to a maximum period of 16 days
To identify a SARS-Cov-2 inoculum dose that safely induces laboratory confirmed infection in ≥50% of participants (ideally between 50% and 70%). Laboratory confirmed infection is defined as two quantifiable greater than lower limit of quantification (≥LLOQ) RT-PCR measurements from mid turbinate and/or throat samples, reported on 2 or more consecutive timepoints, starting from 24 hours post-inoculation and up to discharge from quarantine.
12 secondary outcomes
Number of Patients With Laboratory Confirmed Infections by Mid-turbinate and/or Throat Swabs
Time frame: From 24 hours post-inoculation until discharged from Quarantine, up to a maximum period of 16 days
Number of Symptomatic SARS-Cov-2 Infected Participants
Time frame: From 24 hours post-inoculation until discharged from Quarantine, up to a maximum period of 16 days
SARS-CoV-2 Viral Dynamics (VL-AUC) in Upper Respiratory Samples in Healthy Volunteers
Time frame: From 24 hours post-inoculation to 312 hours post-inoculation
SARS-CoV-2 Induced Symptoms in Healthy Volunteers by the Mean Sum Total Symptom Score
Time frame: From 24 hours post-inoculation until discharged from Quarantine, up to a maximum period of 16 days
Number of Participants With Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Illness in Healthy Volunteers
Time frame: Day 0 to discharge from Quarantine, up to a maximum of 17 days
SARS-CoV-2 Viral Dynamics (Peak Viral Load) in Upper Respiratory Samples in Healthy Volunteers
Time frame: From 24 hours post-inoculation until discharged from Quarantine, up to a maximum period of 16 days
SARS-CoV-2 Viral Dynamics (Duration) in Upper Respiratory Samples in Healthy Volunteers
Time frame: From 24 hours post-inoculation until discharged from Quarantine, up to a maximum period of 16 days
SARS-CoV-2 Viral Dynamics (Incubation Period) in Upper Respiratory Samples in Healthy Volunteers
Time frame: From 24 hours post-inoculation until discharged from Quarantine, up to a maximum period of 16 days
SARS-CoV-2 Induced Symptoms in Healthy Volunteers According to Area Under the Curve Over Time (TSS-AUC) of Total Clinical Symptoms (TSS).
Time frame: From 24 hours post-inoculation to 312 hours post-inoculation
SARS-CoV-2 Induced Symptoms in Healthy Volunteers According to Peak Symptom Diary Card Scores
Time frame: From 24 hours post-inoculation until 312 hours post-inoculation
SARS-CoV-2 Induced Symptoms in Healthy Volunteers According to Peak Daily Symptom Score.
Time frame: From 24 hours post-inoculation until 312 hours post-inoculation
Number (%) of Participants With Grade 2 or Higher SARS-CoV-2 Induced Symptoms
Time frame: From 24 hours post-inoculation until 312 hours post-inoculation
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 May 2025.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Results publication: PubMed 37307844Zhou J, Singanayagam A, Goonawardane N, Moshe M, Sweeney FP, Sukhova K, Killingley B, Kalinova M, Mann AJ, Catchpole AP, Barer MR, Ferguson NM, Chiu C, Barclay WS. Viral emissions into the air and environment after SARS-CoV-2 human challenge: a phase 1, open label, first-in-human study. Lancet Microbe. 2023 Aug;4(8):e579-e590. doi: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00101-5. Epub 2023 Jun 9.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41354730Wagstaffe HR, Thwaites RS, Sidhu JK, Lindeboom RGH, Kretschmer L, Worlock KB, Dratva LM, Huang A, Ascough S, Papargyris L, McKendry R, Collins AM, Xu J, Lemm NM, Killingley B, Kalinova M, Mann A, Catchpole A, Swadling L, Tsang JS, Maini MK, Noursadeghi M, Nikolic MZ, Teichmann SA, Openshaw PJM, Chiu C. Pre-existing and early cellular immune factors correlate with functionally complete protection against primary controlled human SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nat Commun. 2025 Dec 7;17(1):312. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-67017-8.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 39364271Trender W, Hellyer PJ, Killingley B, Kalinova M, Mann AJ, Catchpole AP, Menon D, Needham E, Thwaites R, Chiu C, Scott G, Hampshire A. Changes in memory and cognition during the SARS-CoV-2 human challenge study. EClinicalMedicine. 2024 Sep 21;76:102842. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102842. eCollection 2024 Oct.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 38898278Lindeboom RGH, Worlock KB, Dratva LM, Yoshida M, Scobie D, Wagstaffe HR, Richardson L, Wilbrey-Clark A, Barnes JL, Kretschmer L, Polanski K, Allen-Hyttinen J, Mehta P, Sumanaweera D, Boccacino JM, Sungnak W, Elmentaite R, Huang N, Mamanova L, Kapuge R, Bolt L, Prigmore E, Killingley B, Kalinova M, Mayer M, Boyers A, Mann A, Swadling L, Woodall MNJ, Ellis S, Smith CM, Teixeira VH, Janes SM, Chambers RC, Haniffa M, Catchpole A, Heyderman R, Noursadeghi M, Chain B, Mayer A, Meyer KB, Chiu C, Nikolic MZ, Teichmann SA. Human SARS-CoV-2 challenge uncovers local and systemic response dynamics. Nature. 2024 Jul;631(8019):189-198. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07575-x. Epub 2024 Jun 19.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 35361992Killingley B, Mann AJ, Kalinova M, Boyers A, Goonawardane N, Zhou J, Lindsell K, Hare SS, Brown J, Frise R, Smith E, Hopkins C, Noulin N, Londt B, Wilkinson T, Harden S, McShane H, Baillet M, Gilbert A, Jacobs M, Charman C, Mande P, Nguyen-Van-Tam JS, Semple MG, Read RC, Ferguson NM, Openshaw PJ, Rapeport G, Barclay WS, Catchpole AP, Chiu C. Safety, tolerability and viral kinetics during SARS-CoV-2 human challenge in young adults. Nat Med. 2022 May;28(5):1031-1041. doi: 10.1038/s41591-022-01780-9. Epub 2022 Mar 31.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Christopher Chiu principal investigator
Imperial College London
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^1 TCID50, Remdesivir and SARS-CoV-2 Virus 1x10^2 TCID50 in people with Covid19 and SARS-CoV Infection, run by Imperial College London at 2 sites in United Kingdom.
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 22 inclusion and 83 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 16 May 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in United Kingdom. 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. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 16 May 2025). 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?
Number of Unsolicited Adverse Events in Healthy Participants Challenged With Wild Type SARS-CoV-2 (time frame: Day 0 to 28 (28 days)). The study lists 3 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 NCT04865237, which also lists 5 linked publications.
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 16 May 2025.