Study of Na-ASP-2 Human Hookworm Vaccine in Healthy Adults Without Evidence of Hookworm Infection

There is an urgent need for new tools to control human hookworm infection and to reduce its
burden of disease in developing countries. This is especially true for children and women of
reproductive age who represent populations that are highly vulnerable to the effects of
hookworm disease. Up to 65,000 deaths annually have been attributed to human hookworm
infection. However, the mortality estimates of hookworm pale in comparison to global disease
burden estimates.

The primary approach to hookworm control worldwide has been the frequent and periodic use of
benzimidazole anthelminthics for school-age children. However, school-based anthelminthic
chemotherapy programs miss populations highly vulnerable to hookworm, including adolescent
and adult women. In addition, high rates of hookworm re-infection occur within 4-12 months
following anthelminthic chemotherapy, and there is evidence for diminished efficacy of
benzimidazoles with frequent and periodic use, possibly because of emerging drug resistance.
These concerns have prompted interest in developing alternative tools for hookworm control.
Vaccination to prevent high intensity hookworm infection would alleviate the public health
deficiencies of drug treatment alone.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Healthy adults 18 to 45 years of age.

- Signed informed consent.

- History, physical exam, and laboratory tests indicating good general health obtained
prior to the first injection.

- All females must have a negative pregnancy test (FDA-approved test for β human
chorionic gonadotropin [β-HCG]) on the day of the first injection.

- Serologic tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B surface antigen
(HBsAg), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are negative at screening.

- All subjects must agree to use an acceptable method of birth control from the start
of screening until 2 weeks after the third injection. Acceptable methods for female
subjects include hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine device (IUD), diaphragm with
spermicide, condoms, abstinence, surgically sterile (hysterectomy), and surgically
sterile partner. Acceptable methods for male subjects include surgical sterilization,
condoms, partner who uses an acceptable method of birth control, and abstinence.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Any history of anaphylaxis or allergy to vaccine components or allergy to insect
stings, including bee stings.

- A past or current history of hookworm infection.

- BMI < 18.0 or > 30.0.

- Recent (< 72 hours) history of febrile illness at the time of vaccination
(temperature > 99.6°F or equivalent).

- Received any immune globulin or blood product 3 months prior to injection or
scheduled within 4 weeks thereafter.

- Had vaccination with a live virus vaccine within 4 weeks before receipt of the
vaccine or scheduled within 4 weeks thereafter.

- Had vaccination with a killed vaccine, or allergy treatment with antigen injections
within 14 days of initial study injection.

- Received an investigational agent within 4 weeks of initial study injection.

- Known or suspected impairment of immunologic function including, but not limited to
clinically significant liver disease, diabetes mellitus, moderate to severe kidney
impairment (creatinine > 1.5), any history of malignancy (except squamous cell or
basal cell skin cancer), HIV infection or autoimmune diseases, or concomitant
immunosuppressive medication such as glucocorticosteroids.

- A history of essential hypertension, gastrointestinal abnormalities such as peptic
ulcer disease, cardiac (ECG abnormalities), pulmonary, hepatic, renal, pancreatic, or
neurologic disease.

- Taken prescription medications with the exception of subjects on a stable regimen (>
30 days) of: (1) hormone replacement therapy, (2) use of nasal steroids, (3) topical
therapy, (4) certain classes of antidepressants (i.e., selective serotonin re-uptake
inhibitors), (5) oral contraceptives, (6) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, or
(7) antihistamines or decongestants for seasonal allergies taken as needed.

- Contraindication to IM injection such as anti-coagulant therapy or thrombocytopenia.

- Pregnant, nursing, or expecting to conceive during the study.

- Any history of chronic alcohol or drug abuse or current treatment with any known
prescribed or over-the-counter supplements that may be hepatotoxins.

- Any subject who, in the Investigator's opinion, will be unable to adhere to protocol
requirements.