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Clinical Trial
. 2020 Dec 31;13(1):1829829.
doi: 10.1080/16549716.2020.1829829.

Implementation of accelerated research: strategies for implementation as applied in a phase 1 Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo two-dose Ebola vaccine clinical trial in Uganda

Jonathan Kitonsa  1 , Abu-Baker Ggayi  1 , Zacchaeus Anywaine  1 , Eva Kisaakye  1 , Laura Nsangi  1 , Vincent Basajja  1 , Mary Nyantaro  1 , Deborah Watson-Jones  2 , Georgi Shukarev  3 , Ine Ilsbroux  4 , Cynthia Robinson  3 , Pontiano Kaleebu  1
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Implementation of accelerated research: strategies for implementation as applied in a phase 1 Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo two-dose Ebola vaccine clinical trial in Uganda

Jonathan Kitonsa et al. Glob Health Action. .

Abstract

Background: The 2013-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa is the worst ever caused by Ebolaviruses with over 28,000 human cases and 11,325 deaths. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the epidemic a public health crisis that required accelerated development of novel interventions including vaccines. The Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit) was among the African research sites that implemented the VAC52150EBL1004 Ebola vaccine trial.

Objective: We report on the strategies utilised by the Unit and sponsor in ensuring expedited clinical trial approval and accelerated conduct.

Methods: Janssen Vaccines and Prevention B.V. conducted a phase 1 trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of heterologous two-dose vaccination regimens using Ad26.ZEBOV and MVA-BN-Filo, in healthy adults in Africa. Accelerated implementation strategies are hereby presented.

Results: Strategies included: holding the African Vaccine Regulatory Forum (AVAREF) joint review meeting; expedited review by institutional ethics and country-specific regulatory bodies; competitive recruitment between sites; electronic data capture (EDC); frequent study monitoring schedule; involvement of a community advisory board (CAB); and utilization of a 'phased' study information-sharing approach in community engagement and participant recruitment. These strategies enabled the site to acquire approvals within 2 months and enrol 47 participants within a spurn of five. The same milestone is usually acquired in at least 1 year without accelerated implementation.

Conclusion: The use of well-thought strategies by sponsors and research sites can enable the implementation of accelerated research. We recommend the use of similar strategies in other settings.

Keywords: Ebola virus disease; accelerated conduct; expedited approval; vaccine research.

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Conflict of interest statement

GS, II, CR and MD are employed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals and may hold stock in Johnson & Johnson. All other authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

References

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