A PHASE 1/2 RANDOMIZED, OBSERVER-BLIND STUDY TO EVALUATE THE SAFETY, TOLERABILITY, AND IMMUNOGENICITY OF A MODIFIED RNA VACCINE AGAINST VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS
The purpose of this clinical study is to learn about the safety, extent of the side effects (reaction to vaccine), and immune response (your immune system's reaction) of the study vaccine called Varicella Zoster Virus modRNA (VZV modRNA). We are seeking for healthy participants 50 through 85 years of age. This study will be conducted in 2 substudies: Substudy A (Phase 1) and Substudy B (Phase 2). Substudy A: This substudy is the Phase 1 portion of the study. In this substudy, participants will receive 1 of 3 VZV modRNA vaccine candidates (different construct, different dose levels and different formulation \[frozen or freeze dry powder\]) or the approved shingles vaccine intramuscularly. Participants will be assigned in 1 of 10 groups in the study. Vaccination will be given either as a 2-dose series using one of two dosing schedules (either 2-months apart or 6-months apart), or (in one of the groups), as a single VZV modRNA vaccine at the first vaccination visit and saline at the second vaccination visit. Participants will take part in this study for 8 to 12 months depending on the group they are assigned to. Some group(s) will continue into persistence-of-immunity (overtime assessment of effect of vaccine) portion of the study. Those participants assigned to these selected groups will be involved in the study for up to 5 years. Substudy B: This substudy is the Phase 2 portion of the study. In this part of the study, participants will receive either VZV modRNA vaccine at selected dose level/schedule/formulation or approved shingles vaccine. This selection was determined from data collected in Substudy A. Participants will be involved in this study for up to 5 years.
• Male or female participants 50 through 69 years of age (inclusive) at the time of consent.
• Healthy participants who are determined by clinical assessment, including medical history and clinical judgment of the investigator, to be eligible for inclusion in the study. Note: Known infection with HIV, HCV or HBV is an exclusion in Substudy A.
• Participants who are willing and able to comply with all scheduled visits, investigational plan, laboratory tests, lifestyle considerations, and other study procedures.
• Capable of giving signed informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the ICD and in this protocol
⁃ Substudy A: Group 11 to Group 14
• Male or female participants 50 through 69 years of age (inclusive) at the time of consent.
• Healthy participants who are determined by clinical assessment, including medical history and clinical judgment of the investigator, to be eligible for inclusion in the study. Note: Known infection with HIV, HCV or HBV is an exclusion in Substudy A.
• Participants who are willing and able to comply with all scheduled visits, investigational plan, laboratory tests, lifestyle considerations, and other study procedures.
• Capable of giving signed informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the ICD and in this protocol.
• Has a body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 35 (inclusive) kg/m2 at the screening visit.
⁃ Substudy A: Group 1 to Group 10
• Male or female participants 50 through 85 years of age (inclusive) at the time of consent.
• Healthy participants who are determined by clinical assessment, including medical history and clinical judgment of the investigator, to be eligible for inclusion in the study.
• Participants who are willing and able to comply with all scheduled visits, investigational plan, laboratory tests, lifestyle considerations, and other study procedures.
• Capable of giving signed informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the ICD and in this protocol.
• Has a BMI between 18 and 35 (inclusive) kg/m2 at the screening visit.