IMUNON, Inc. announced it has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for IMNN-101 for a Phase 1 clinical study with a seasonal COVID-19 booster vaccine. Following acceptance by the FDA, enrollment in this human proof-of-concept study is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2024. IMNN-101 utilizes the company's PlaCCine platform, a proprietary mono- or multi-valent DNA plasmid that controls the expression of pathogen antigens and is delivered via a non-viral synthetic DNA delivery system.

The primary objectives of the Phase 1 study are to evaluate the vaccine safety, tolerability and neutralizing antibody response and its durability in healthy adults. Based on reported preclinical data, durability of immune expression is expected to demonstrate superiority over published mRNA vaccine data. As currently planned, the Phase 1 study will enroll 24 subjects evaluating three escalating doses of IMNN-101.

IMMN-101 for this study has been designed to protect against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB1.5 variant in accordance with the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee's June 2023 announcement of the framework for updated COVID-19 doses. IMUNON?s preclinical work with prototype PlaCCine vaccines showed: Immunogenicity and protection in non-human primates exceeding 95%, which is comparable to mRNA vaccines. These characteristics suggest superior commercial handling and distribution properties compared with mRNA vaccines, as well as greater manufacturing flexibility.

PlaCCine vaccines have advantages in T-cell responses, safety, compliance and manufacturing flexibility compared with viral or other DNA or protein vaccines.