Phase 1 Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Safety Study of MucoCept-CVN (Lactobacillus Jensenii 1153-1666) Administered Vaginally to Healthy Women
MucoCept-CVN uses a Lactobacillus strain native to the human vagina that is modified into a live biotherapeutic product (LBP) that continuously expresses a potent anti-HIV drug. If research shows that MucoCept-CVN is safe and effective, it could become a self-renewing, female-initiated prevention product for women that promotes vaginal health and provides protection from HIV. The goal of this first-in-human Phase 1 dose-ranging, randomized, placebo-controlled study of MucoCept-CVN is to collect data on safety, colonization, changes to the vaginal microbiota and clearance of the strain with antibiotics. Twelve healthy women will be enrolled and take either one or three doses of MucoCept-CVN or placebo, and a week later will receive antibiotics to clear the Lactobacillus strain. If research shows that MucoCept-CVN is safe and effective, it could become a self-renewing, long-acting, female-initiated prevention product for women that promotes vaginal health and provides protection from HIV.
• Healthy pre-menopausal women 18-45 years of age, inclusive, with regular predictable menstrual cycles
• Ability to read and consent in English
• Previous experience of gynecological examinations
• Consent to participate and adhere to all procedures, including frequent visits at the UCSF Clinical Research Center (CRC) facility for at least 53 days
• Agree to get tested for STIs and a Pap Smear
• Agree not to use any other vaginal product during the course of the study, including spermicides
• Agree to sexual abstinence (no vaginal, anal, and receptive oral intercourse) until the elimination of L. jensenii 1153-1666 is confirmed and for 12 hours prior to the final study visit after clearance is confirmed
• For participants with male sexual partners: Agree to use two forms of contraception, condoms plus hormonal or permanent method (intrauterine device \[IUD\] or tubal ligation) during vaginal intercourse from the time clearance is established to the Final Visit 30 days after clearance. Use of spermicides is not permitted.
• For participants with female sexual partners: Agree to use female condoms during intercourse from the time clearance is established to the Final Visit 30 days after clearance. Use of hormonal or permanent method of contraception (IUD or tubal ligation) is not required.
⁃ Agree to inform their sexual partner about the goals of the study and importance of sexual abstinence (no vaginal, anal, and receptive oral intercourse) and present with their partner at enrollment visit for separate consent procedure for partners
‣ Current sexual partners of participants must meet all the following criteria to be enrolled:
• Ability to read and consent in English
• Consent to participate and adhere to all procedures for sexual partners should exposure to L. jensenii 1153-1666 be suspected, including multiple visits at the UCSF Clinical Research Center (CRC)
• Agree to sexual abstinence (no vaginal, anal, and receptive oral intercourse) until the elimination of L. jensenii 1153-1666 is confirmed, and for 12 hours prior to the final study visit after clearance is confirmed