Evaluating Safety, Tolerability, and Potential Efficacy of Intranasal AD17002 in Adults With Mild to Moderate COVID-19

AD17002 has demonstrated superior safety and efficacy as a nasal adjuvant function to an influenza vaccine in two completed clinical studies and has innate immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory properties which could potentially be an effective treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection. This Phase 2a, multi-center study is set up to assess the safety, tolerability, and potential efficacy of AD17002 in participants with mild to moderate COVID-19. The cycle threshold (Ct) was used as a surrogate biomarker for viral clearance in the exploratory study. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant mortality in global populations and suppression of the economy. The prompt development of the vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 represents an unprecedented achievement for mankind, nevertheless, the unstoppable transmission of the virus highlights human's insufficient and lack of preparedness in mucosal immunity, which acts as the port of entries to not just SARS-CoV-2, but many viruses. The AD17002, also known as LTh(αK), is an immunomodulator, which induces expression of type I and III interferons (IFN-I/III) from mucosal epithelial cells. The IFN-I/III are critical components to innate immunity, the first line defender against infection, and modulator and initiator of adaptive immunity. The IFN-I is antagonized by many SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins and studies have shown the association between IFN-I deficiency and severe COVID-19. In this study, we intended to treat subjects with AD17002, which induced nasal epithelial cells to express IFN-I/III. Participants who meet the eligibility criteria will be isolated and confined to the study site to receive treatment for COVID-19. Eligible participants will be assigned to 2 cohorts, Cohort 1 and Cohort 2, sequentially. Cohort 1 will receive 3 doses of AD17002 or placebo weekly, while Cohort 2 will receive 3 doses of LTh(αK) or placebo every other day (Days 1, 3, and 5). Within each cohort, participants will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive standard-of-care treatment and add-on therapy of AD17002 at 20 μg or placebo. Randomized participants will be assigned a participant number. The participants, site personnel, and the Sponsor will be blinded to the treatment assignment. Randomization will not be stratified and participants who withdraw from the study after starting treatment will not be replaced, except for participants who undergo sentinel dosing in Cohort 2.