The Primary Endpoint of Shedding Rate was not Met Conference Call and Webcast to be Held Today, June 22 at 5:00 pm ET
SAN DIEGO, June 22, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vical Incorporated (Nasdaq: VICL ) today announced top-line results from an ongoing randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled Phase 1/2 clinical study of its therapeutic genital herpes vaccine, designed to reduce viral shedding and genital herpes lesions in herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infected patients. The trial enrolled patients across seven U.S. sites and is evaluating two constructs: a monovalent (gD) vaccine and a bivalent (gD + UL46) vaccine, each formulated with Vical's proprietary Vaxfectin ® adjuvant. The top-line analysis compared pre-vaccination measurements for each arm with those taken during the swabbing period in months 2 and 3 following the last vaccine dose. Neither the monovalent nor bivalent vaccine met the primary endpoint. On prospectively defined secondary endpoints, the bivalent vaccine achieved statistically significant reductions in the rate of genital lesions (-51%, p = 0.0037) and viral load from positive swabs (-0.39 log 10 , p = 0.0008) versus baseline. The results are summarized in the table below:
| Monovalent (N=54) | Bivalent (N=56) | Placebo (N=21) | |
| Primary Endpoint | |||
| Change in shedding rate | -12% | -19% | -45% |
| from baseline | (p = 0.3862) | (p = 0.1561) | (p = 0.0144) |
| Secondary Endpoints | |||
| Change in lesion rate | +3% | -51% | -46% |
| from baseline | (p = 0.8759) | (p = 0.0037) | (p = 0.0850) |
| Change in viral load in | -0.38 | -0.39 | 0.28 |
| positive swabs from baseline (HSV copies, log 10 ) | (p = 0.0012) | (p = 0.0008) | (p = 0.1268) |
Both the monovalent and bivalent vaccines were generally well tolerated. Safety data have been reviewed throughout the trial by an independent safety monitoring board, and no grade 4 adverse events or serious adverse events related to vaccination have been observed.
"We just received the top-line study data and we are disappointed that the vaccines did not meet the primary endpoint," said Vijay Samant, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The trial is ongoing and all patients are being followed for safety for 12 months and efficacy for 9 months after their final vaccine dose. During that 9-month period, we will collect additional clinical efficacy data including recurrence rate and lesion rate, which will enable us to determine the appropriate next steps for this program. We greatly appreciate the ongoing support of the patients and investigators who are taking part in this trial."
Mr. Samant continued, "In the meantime, we remain focused on advancing our CMV vaccine candidate partnered with Astellas. Enrollment is complete in the Phase 2 solid organ transplant trial, placing us on track for data during the second half of 2016, and the Phase 3 pivotal trial is underway in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. We are also moving our in-licensed antifungal compound toward a Phase 1 trial initiation during the first half of 2016. Because Astellas funds the CMV program and given the other operational efficiencies we have put in place, we anticipate that our current cash position will fund us through these milestones and into 2017."
About the Phase 1/2 HSV-2 Clinical Trial
The Phase 1/2 trial is an ongoing randomized double-blind, placebo controlled study which enrolled 165 symptomatic HSV-2 patients at seven investigational sites in the U.S. The trial consists of an initial dose escalation cohort with 14 patients and then an efficacy cohort with 151 patients at full dose. 131 evaluable patients are included in the top-line per protocol efficacy analysis.
Enrolled patients are required to have a history of symptomatic genital herpes with 2 to 9 lesion recurrences per year. The dose escalation component of the trial assessed the safety of ¼ dose, ½ dose, and a full dose of vaccines in a small number of patients prior to dosing additional patients at the full dose. Two vaccine constructs are being evaluated: monovalent (gD) and bivalent (gD + UL46), each formulated with Vical's proprietary Vaxfectin ® adjuvant. Regardless of the vaccine construct and dose, all patients received a vaccine or a placebo on days 0, 28, and 56. The patients in the efficacy cohort who received the full dose of vaccine or placebo are assessed for vaccine effectiveness in reducing HSV-2 shedding from baseline as the primary endpoint, and for secondary endpoints including changes in lesion rate and viral load from baseline.
Each patient in the efficacy cohort performed once daily swabbing to measure HSV shedding before and after vaccination. Sampling periods of 60 days for daily swab collections and diaries were used to generate shedding and lesion data to compare the post-vaccination to the pre-vaccination periods. In addition, the quantity of virus during each positive shedding day was compared for each patient pre- and post-vaccination. All patients in the trial continue to be followed for safety for 12 months and efficacy for 9 months after their final vaccine dose, and during that 9-month period, additional clinical efficacy data including recurrence rate and lesion rate will be evaluated. Additional study details are available at https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02030301 .
Conference Call
Vical will conduct a conference call and webcast today, June 22, at 5:00 pm Eastern Time, to discuss the results of the trial. Listeners may access the accompanying slide presentation through the webcast at www.vical.com . The call and webcast are open on a listen-only basis to any interested parties. To listen to the conference call, dial in approximately ten minutes before the scheduled call to (719) 325-2430 (preferred), or (888) 523-1232 (toll-free), and reference confirmation code 6526980. A replay of the call will be available for 48 hours beginning about two hours after the call. To listen to the replay, dial (719) 457-0820 (preferred) or (888) 203-1112 (toll-free) and enter replay passcode 6526980. The call also will be available live and archived through the events page at www.vical.com . For further information, contact Vical's Investor Relations department by phone at (858) 646-1127 or by e-mail at ir@vical.com .
About Vical
Vical develops biopharmaceutical products for the prevention and treatment of chronic or life-threatening infectious diseases, based on its patented DNA delivery technologies and other therapeutic approaches. Additional information on Vical is available at www.vical.com .
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements include Vical's projected cash runway, clinical plans and anticipated timelines, and expected announcement of data for clinical trials. Risks and uncertainties include whether Vical or others will continue development of Vical's HSV-2 vaccine or its other independent or partnered programs; unexpected expenses or cash requirements; whether any product candidates will be shown to be safe and efficacious in clinical trials; the timing of clinical trials; whether Vical or its collaborative partners will seek or gain approval to market any product candidates; and additional risks set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Andrew Hopkins (858) 646-1127 Website: www.vical.com
